Cavatelli With Roman Cauliflower

Ingredients for Cavatelli With Roman Cauliflower

• 2 tablespoons salt

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets (about 4 cups)

• 90ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

• 3 shallots, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 3 anchovy fillets, chopped

• 450g cavatelli

• 30g grated pecorino cheese, plus more for serving

Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and the cauliflower to a large pot of water and bring to a boil over high heat.

Cook for 3 minutes, then remove the cauliflower from the water. Retain the water.

Put half of the cauliflower into a blender along with 240ml the cooking water and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Blend until it turns into a puree. This will be the sauce for your pasta. You may need to add more of the cooking water to reach the desired consistency (as loose as tomato puree).

Heat the remaining 60ml of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, red pepper flakes, and anchovies. Saute for 1 minute.

Increase the heat to high and add the reserved cauliflower florets. Saute for 2 minutes while stirring.

Add the puree to the pan and saute for 30 to 40 seconds while stirring.

To the pot with the reserved cauliflower cooking water, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of salt, return the water to a boil over high heat, and add the cavatelli. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes.

Reserve 240ml the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta, stir it into the pan with the sauce, and cook everything together for 30 seconds. Add a couple more tablespoons of the pasta cooking water for a looser consistency, if desired.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese.

Drizzle each serving with olive oil and serve with extra grated cheese for sprinkling.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.