Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe (Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa)

Step 1

1. Trim all the leaves away from the broccoli rabe and remove the central core from each leaf. Remove the bottom 3 inches of the stem and peel the rest up to the flower buds. Rinse well in cold running water.

Step 2

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and stir to submerge. Cook, uncovered, until tender and deep green in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, lift the greens out of the water and rinse under cold running water. Drain the leaves in a colander for a few minutes then coarsely chop them and set aside.

Step 3

3. Bring another large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and stir to submerge and separate the pasta. Cook, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water for finishing the dish if necessary.

Step 4

4. While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over moderate heat, warm the oil. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring frequently, until light golden in color, about 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes, if using, the blanched broccoli rabe, and the reserved pasta cooking water as needed. Drain the orecchiette in a colander, shaking well to remove excess water, then add it the broccoli rabe in the skillet and toss together over moderate heat until heated through, about 1 minute.

Step 5

5. Serve the pasta garnished with Pecorino Romano.