Broccoli & macaroni - frugal, simple, meatless, delicious

This is the first in a series of posts focused on traditional Northern Italian dishes…

As the son of a music teacher and college professor, I grew up in a home where dinner was a fairly sedate affair. Our dinner conversation was quiet and reserved, focused mostly on contemporary politics and education. When Pat and I began dating, meeting her large, 100% Italian family - and dining with them - was very entertaining, by which I mean terrifying.

Whereas my Dad might quote Bertrand Russell or Plato over dinner, Pat’s family was animated and exuberant, with multiple conversations on a variety of topics happening all at once.  It was a bit bewildering and intimidating for me, but I quickly fell in love with her family, and it didn’t hurt that good, wholesome food was the centerpiece of every get together.  One other thing I learned quickly was that if you didn’t show up with a healthy appetite, you were at risk of offending your hostess.  And so I ate.

Some of the meals I immediately loved were products of their Northern Italian heritage and the Great Depression: very simple, created with only a few ingredients, usually meatless, and delicious. Pasta and peas; lentils and pasta, string beans and potatoes, greens and beans… there’s quite a list and they’re all wonderfully simple and tasty. Served with fresh bread and butter and a simple salad dressed with oil and vinegar, all of these meals are sublime.

Over the next few weeks I’ll post the recipes for several of my favorites. Today’s feature is broccoli and macaroni - a meal that will fill your kitchen with the aroma of garlic and provide you and your family with satisfying, simple, healthy fare.

Ingredients

• 1/2 to 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 large garlic cloves, sliced thinly (we usually use 1 clove; the garlic provides much of this dish’s flavor)
• ~3/4 lb. penne pasta (or your favorite)
• 1 large bunch broccoli, cut into spears

The Recipe

• Heat oil over medium high heat, add sliced garlic - remove garlic when lightly browned; take oil off the heat and set aside
• Cook the pasta in salted water until cooked
• While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli until it’s cooked but still somewhat firm
• Mix the pasta and broccoli together in a pan, and add the garlic-infused oil
• Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Enjoy!

Serves 2-4; adjust recipe to suit the number of people you’ll be serving. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; serve with bread and butter, and a simple salad.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes

Hope you enjoyed this; please comment if you wish!

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