This is perhaps my favorite Italian pasta dish, hearty and delicious. This is how I do it:
Ingredients:
1 big bunch rappini/broccoli rabe
3 cloves garlic
2 vegan Italian sausages ( I like Boca Italian sausage)
crushed red pepper
fresh herbs, basil and marjoram or dried Italian mixed herbs
Trim the stems off the rapini place in a skillet with a little water and steam on medium heat till broccoli is wilted. Drain in colander set aside. In same skillet heat up some olive oil, slice the sausage add to skillet and brown on both sides. Set aside. In the skillet add more olive oil add chopped garlic, crushed red pepper, salt and simmer then add the wilted rapini and. sautée for 10 mins. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the orecchiette, drain in colander. Add the sausage to the skillet and simmer then add the cooked orecchiette to the skillet and combine together. Adjust salt. Serve in pasta bowls with a sprinkle of shaved or grated Parmesan cheese.
