Cime di Rapa with Sausage: A Traditional Italian Delight
If you’re looking to enjoy an authentic, rustic Italian dish, Cime di Rapa with Sausage is the perfect recipe to satisfy your cravings. This flavorful and hearty dish combines the unique bitterness of cime di rapa (turnip greens) with the savory richness of sausage, creating an irresistible balance of tastes. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy family dinner or looking for a simple yet satisfying meal, this recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cime di rapa (turnip greens) | 1 kg |
| Sausage | 500 g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Fresh chili pepper | 1 |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Salt | To taste |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Turnip Greens
Start by washing the cime di rapa thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Once cleaned, remove any tough stems and damaged leaves, leaving only the tender parts of the greens. Cut the remaining leaves into smaller pieces, but leave the delicate florets (the “cimette”) intact.
Step 2: Blanch the Cime di Rapa
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the prepared cime di rapa to the boiling water and blanch them for about 5 minutes, ensuring that they retain their vibrant green color. After blanching, drain the greens, reserving a couple of tablespoons of the cooking water.
Step 3: Cook the Sausage
While the cime di rapa are blanching, slice the sausage into small, bite-sized pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sausage pieces and cook them until they are browned and fully cooked through. After a few minutes, add a couple of tablespoons of the reserved water from the cime di rapa to the pan to keep the sausage juicy and prevent it from drying out.
Step 4: Add the Flavoring
Peel and finely slice the garlic clove. Slice the fresh chili pepper into thin rounds. Once the sausage is cooked, add the garlic and chili pepper to the skillet, allowing them to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until they become aromatic.
Step 5: Combine the Ingredients
Add the blanched cime di rapa to the pan with the sausage and mix everything together. Season with salt to taste. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the greens to heat through.
Step 6: Serve
Once everything is cooked and well combined, plate the dish. Serve the cime di rapa with sausage hot, ensuring that the sausage is crispy and golden while the greens are tender and flavorful. Enjoy this delicious dish as part of a hearty Italian meal!
This Cime di Rapa with Sausage recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare, but it’s also packed with bold flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy. The pairing of bitter turnip greens with savory sausage is a perfect representation of traditional Italian comfort food—simple ingredients coming together to create something extraordinary. Whether you’re a fan of rustic dishes or just in the mood for something comforting, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. Serve it with a side of crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices and savor every bite!
