One of things that most fascinates me about cooking is how a very slight change in technique, even using the same ingredients, will produce a very different end result. We’ve already explored on this blog the ripassare technique, perhaps the most common in central and southern Italian vegetable cookery, in which parboiled vegetables are then sautéed in garlic-infused oil. The result is a rather soft and mellow vegetable that readily absorbs the taste of its cooking medium.
Today we will take a look at a technique (strascinati, literally “dragged”) where you simply skip the initial parboiling and sauté the vegetable—typically, broccoli—resulting in a much firmer texture and ‘nuttier’ more intense flavor. Dry sauteed broccoli, typical of Rome, though perhaps not the prettiest way to make broccoli, it is one of the tastiest.
Ingredients
Serves 4-6 as a contorno or side dish
- 1 head of broccoli
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled and slightly crushed
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Water or white wine
- Peperoncino, to taste
Directions
Trim and cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, cutting off the flowerets first and then cutting the larger ones in half or quarters.
In a sauté pan large enough to hold all the broccoli, sauté the garlic gently in a generous amount of oil, along with the peperoncino if using. When the garlic has turned a very light brown, remove it.
Add the broccoli pieces, turn them so they are entirely covered in the seasoned oil, seasoning well as you turn. Cover the pan and let the broccoli simmer until tender, turning from time to time—not too often or too vigorously, or you will smash the broccoli as it begins to get tender. The natural liquid of the broccoli will ‘steam’ the vegetable, but if things look dry, add a bit of water or white wine from time to time.
When the broccoli is tender, check and adjust for seasoning. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ana Boni, the doyenne of Roman cookery, calls this sautéed broccoli dish broccolo a crudo alla romana, ‘crudo’ meaning raw, referring to the fact that you don’t parboil the vegetable first in the usual way. The dish She recommends serving the broccoli on a bed of carrot sticks, either as a side course or a vegetarian main course.
Although I’ve never tried it, I have to imagine that other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli rabe or the new-fangled broccolini would do very well here. Perhaps even Brussels sprouts?
For those who don’t like spicy food, you can omit the peperoncino, although it is typical. And if you can’t find peperoncino, red pepper flakes will do; just be sure to add them just before you add the broccoli so they don’t burn.
Broccoli strascinati (Dry Sautéed Broccoli)
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli
- 2-3 cloves of garlic peeled and slightly crushed
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Water or white wine
- Peperoncino to taste
Instructions
- Trim and cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, cutting off the flowerets first and then cutting the larger ones in half or quarters.
- In a sauté pan large enough to hold all the broccoli, sauté the garlic gently in a generous amount of oil, along with the peperoncino if using. When the garlic has turned a very light brown, remove it.
- Add the broccoli pieces, turn them so they are entirely covered in the seasoned oil, seasoning well as you turn. Cover the pan and let the broccoli simmer until tender, turning from time to time—not too often or too vigorously, or you will smash the broccoli as it begins to get tender. The natural liquid of the broccoli will 'steam' the vegetable, but if things look dry, add a bit of water or white wine from time to time.
- When the broccoli is tender, check and adjust for seasoning. Serve immediately.
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10 Comments on “Broccoli strascinati (Dry Sautéed Broccoli)”
un piatto che adoro..buon natale simmy
Buon Natale anche a te, simmy!
this is one of my favorite ways to make broccoli. It concentrates the flavor and is a great quick meal after a long day. yours looks perfect. Here’s hoping for a happy holiday for you and your family!
Thanks, Deana! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I love this side dish a lot. The recipe title inclusion of “crudo” reminded me that I had never eaten raw broccoli or cauliflower before moving to California. And never eaten Brussels sprouts until I moved to Milan and there of course, they were served with butter.
une manière très intéressante de préparer ce légume mais est-ce que cela ne lui ôte pas tous ses vitamines préparé de cette façon ?? Merci à vous et bonne journée 🙂
I love broccoli but it’s one of those foods that I find hard being creative with. Thanks for sharing this Frank. Definitely something new for me to try out.
Not to take anything away from you (you are one of my favorites!), but isn’t this the “healthy” way to cook now? I never did think boiling, or even parboiling, vegetables was right – have been cooking all my vegetables this way (when not roasting or in soups). Keep sending more recipes – I really enjoy them.
Love to see these methods in print. Must be important to have excellent quality olive oil here. I’ll make some brocollie tonight. Thanks again Frank always love to see your posts!
Thanks for your comment, Sherry! You’re quite right, a nice, fruit olive oil does a lot for the flavor of this dish. Do let us know how you like it.