Caserecci with Anchovies and Cauliflower

This recipe for pasta with anchovies and cauliflower was inspired by this article in The New Yorker. Judith Thurman’s poetic words about pine nuts, which she calls her “secret ingredient,” reminded us of the goodness of pine nuts in pasta.

Pine nuts are of the utmost importance to this dish, but our secret ingredient, instead, is Salted Anchovies. And EV Olive Oil, and pasta… Any kind of short pasta will do for this recipe, for some reason, we thought that Caserecci was the best match.

Ingredients

SERVES: 5-6
TIME: 30 mins

• Caserecci pasta, 500g / 1.1 lbs
• Head of cauliflower, 1 medium
• Salted anchovies, 6 (12 fillets)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Onion, 1 medium, chopped
• Broth or water, 240ml / 1 cup
• Zibibbo raisins, 50g / 1/4 cup
• Pine nuts, 30g/ 1/4 cup
• Homemade breadcrumbs, 30g / 1/4 cup

Preparation

1. Steam cauliflower florets for about 5 minutes
2. Rinse the anchovies (see GustiBasics) and then set them aside.
3. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with extra virgin olive oil and sauté the onions until they become translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the anchovies by slicing each fillet into 1/2 inch pieces over the skillet. Using a fork, mash the anchovies and add the cauliflower. Let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
4. Add a few tablespoons, or more if needed, of broth or hot water. Mix well. Add the raisins and pine nuts, mix well and turn off the fire.
5. Cook the pasta and combine with contents of the skillet. If the dish seems dry, add a few spoonfuls of pasta water and mix well. When the dish has reached its desired consistency add breadcrumbs.
6. On your plate drizzle some EVOO and sprinkle with additional breadcrumbs.