Durum wheat semolina, water, a pinch of salt and lots of love!

Orecchiette are a fresh homemade pasta, typical of the gastronomic tradition of Southern Italy.

They are perfect to be seasoned in the most traditional way with turnip greens or to be enjoyed with a simple tomato sauce, or (as in this case) with broccoli and sausage.

handmade orecchiette with broccoli and sausage

Preparing handmade orecchiette at home, is a special way to spend time with the family. The first ones might be ugly, but as you go along you get carried away (and you can have fun comparing the first and the last!)

Satisfaction and taste are guaranteed!

Here is the recipe for the version with broccoli and sausage

INGREDIENTS

(doses for 4 people)

To make orecchiette dough

  • 400 grams of durum wheat semolina flour
  • 200 ml of warm water
  • A pinch of salt

For the dressing

  • 300 gr of sausage
  • 500 grams of broccoli
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil

METHOD

To prepare the orecchiette with broccoli and sausage, start from the dough, arrange the flour on a pastry board and add a pinch of salt.

Start adding the warm water, incorporating the flour a little at a time. Knead with your hands until you get a smooth and homogeneous dough.

Cover the pasta with a slightly damp kitchen cloth and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

After the resting time, take a first piece of dough and make a loaf with a thickness of about 1 centimeter.

Cut into pieces about one centimeter thick with a knife.

With the help of a round-tip knife, form shells by dragging each piece of dough towards you on the lightly floured pastry board.

Then turn the shell on itself to form your orecchietta.

Continue until the dough is finished.

Clean the broccoli by dividing them into florets, wash them thoroughly under running water.

Then transfer them to boiling water, place a lid on the pot and cook the vegetables for 6-7 minutes.

(The actual cooking time of broccoli also depends on the size of the florets. As soon as they are tucked in with a fork they will be ready.)

In a pan heat a drizzle of oil with a clove of garlic, add the sausage without the casing and crumbled. Let it brown for a few minutes, stirring often. With the help of a slotted spoon, then without throwing away the cooking water, take the cooked broccoli and add them to the sausage and cook together for 3-4

In the meantime, let the water where you cooked the broccoli boil, then throw in the pasta and let it cook. When the pasta is cooked, drain it with a skimmer, transferring it directly to the broccoli and sausage dressing.

Then mix the pasta well in the sauce by tossing everything in the pan for a couple of minutes.

The orecchiette with broccoli and sausage are ready!