Sicilian Style Cauliflower - Cavolfiore Siciliano
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 6 as a side dish
Ingredients
  • 3 pounds of fresh cauliflower, generally 2 small to medium sized cauliflower
  • 5 Tbs. Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ⅓ cup Capers, rinsed and drained
  • ⅓ cup Currants plumped in warm water and drained
  • ⅓ cup lightly toasted pine nuts
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 4 Tbs. chopped Italian parsley leaves
  • 1 fresh lemon
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425ยบ and line two heavy duty baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Wash the cauliflower, remove the core and cut into relatively equal sized florets. Divide the cauliflower florets between the two baking sheets, be careful not to crowd them (if they are too close, the florets tend to steam rather than brown properly). Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Give the cauliflower a good stir to be sure it is coated with the olive oil and seasoning. Place the baking sheets into the preheated oven and roast until they are a deep golden brown, generally about 30 minutes depending upon your oven. Halfway through the roasting process, open the oven door and give the florets a good stir to be sure that they are roasting uniformly.
  3. While the cauliflower is resting place the plumped currants, pine nuts and half of the parsley leaves into the serving bowl you are planning to use.
  4. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and lightly brown the sliced garlic, add the browned garlic slices to the serving bowl. Reserve the olive oil.
  5. Add the fresh bread crumbs to the remaining olive oil which has been seasoned by the garlic and toast until golden, stirring several times. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
  6. Once the cauliflower is golden brown, remove immediately and add to the serving bowl along with any olive oil and bits that are on the parchment paper. Give the contents a good stir to combine well and allow the cauliflower to absorb the flavors.
  7. Cut the lemon into half and and squeeze over the mixture, stirring gently to combine. Taste the dish and adjust for salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Cut the remaining half of the lemon into wedges to garnish the serving bowl. Top with the toasted breadcrumbs and remaining chopped parsley and serve.
  9. This dish can be made earlier in the day, however add the lemon juice and toast breadcrumbs at the last moment. It may be served at room temperature or warmed slightly.
  10. If using with pasta, prepare without the breadcrumbs and final touch of parsley. Select a pasta such as rigatoni and prepare it to the al dente stage. Immediately add the cooked pasta to the Sicilian Style Cauliflower and combine it thoroughly - add a bit of the pasta cooking water if you feel it is needed. Top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, the toasted breadcrumbs and remaining parsley, serve immediately.
Recipe by LaBellaSorella at https://labellasorella.com/2016/01/sicilian-style-cauliflower/