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Minestra di broccoli e arzilla (Skate and Roman Cauliflower Soup)

Total Time1 hour

Ingredients

For the initial simmering of the skate:

  • 500 g 1 lb skate
  • A medium onion cut in half
  • 1 celery stalk cut into lengths
  • A sprig of fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper

For the soffritto (flavor base):

  • 1-2 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped
  • A spring of parsley finely chopped
  • 1-2 anchovy fillets
  • A peperoncino or a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Olive oil

To finish the soup:

  • 3 or 4 canned tomatoes about 100g/3-1/2 oz
  • 1 head of Romanesco broccoli see Notes, cut into small flowerets
  • 250 g 1/2 lb spaghetti, broken into short pieces
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Simmer the skate with the aromatics in enough water to cover everything well for about 30 minutes. When the skate is the cooked remove it, drain it, set it on a cutting board and shred it. Strain and reserve the broth, discarding the aromatics.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate pot, gently sauté the garlic, parsley and anchovy in olive oil until the garlic is just beginning to slightly brown and give off its aroma. Add the tomatoes, crushing them between your fingers as you drop them into the pot. Let simmer until the tomatoes have melted into a saucy consistency.
  • Add the Romanesco flowerets to the pot, mix them gingerly so they're covered with the tomato sauce. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes, then add the strained skate broth to the pot. Continue simmering for a few minutes more, until the flowerets are nearly tender and you have a rich tasting broth. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
  • Add the spaghetti pieces and continue simmering. When the spaghetti is cooked, lower the heat and add the shredded skate for a few moments, just long enough to re-heat. (The delicate flesh is liable to fall apart if you let it cook any longer.)
  • Serve immediately. If you like, reserve a bit of the skate for garnish, along with a sprinkling of minced parsley. A drizzle of best quality of olive oil wouldn't be amiss.