My grandmother, Amalia, grew up in the Abruzzo region of Italy where a favorite vegetable side dish was made with swiss chard and beans, sprinkled liberally with red pepper flakes. After she immigrated to America, my grandmother cultivated swiss chard in the alleyway alongside her house in Welllsburg, West Virginia. Following her family traditions, she was inspired to make this bitter greens and beans pairing, which became a favorite weekday and Lenten dish. Although I like this just the way she made it, my husband prefers a more substantial dish and I tried making this with orecchiette pasta for a dinner rather rather than the vegetable side dish that we always enjoyed. The characteristic Abruzzese ingredient, the dried red chili flakes, was always added to the dish and I have included that in this recipe.
Italian Style Swiss Chard and Cannelini Beans with Orchietti Pasta
Ingredients
1 large bunch swiss chard, stems removed and sliced
½ pound or box of orecchiette pasta
1 small onion, diced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, diced
1 can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne pepper flakes
Preparation
Rinse the swiss chard and remove the stems. Cut into 1 inch slices and steam the chard in a little water for 2 minutes. Then plunge into ice water. Set aside.
Cook the pasta according to the directions and drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
Saute the onion in the olive oil till translucent and then add the garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Heat the chicken broth and pour over the savories. Then add the beans and the pasta water. When everything is heated, add the swiss chard, cook for 2 more minutes then top with the parmesan cheese.
This month my friends at #Sunday Supper are celebrating meals eaten around the dinner table and January 3rd is the kickoff. Please take a minute to enjoy their recipes which are below.
Appetizers and Soups
- Borscht from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Cheesy Garlic Crescent Rolls from Wallflour Girl
- Cheesy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms from Runner’s Tales
- Creamy Zucchini Soupfrom Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen
- Garlic Chili Tiger Prawns from Food Lust People Love
- Honey Bacon Ranch Boneless Chicken Wings from From Gate to Plate
- Potato and Carrot Leek Soup from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Steve’s Crab Dip from Monica’s Table
Main courses
- Almond Breaded Pork Chops from Casa de Crews
- Beef Roast Dinner from Gluten Free Crumbley
- Cauliflower Tetrazzini from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Cheesy Tortellini Bake from MealDiva
- Chicken Pot Pie from Feeding Big and more
- Chicken Supreme in Yorkshire Puddings from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Cranberry Mustard Pork Chop Skillet Dinner from Momma’s Meals
- Fideua (Catalan pasta paella) from Caroline’s Cooking
- French-Inspired Macaroni and Cheese from MyGourmetConnection
- Grandma’s Fried Chicken from The Freshman Cook
- Gluten Free Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Veggie Bowl from Fearless Dining
- Huevos Rancheros from Palatable Pastime
- Indian Spiced Roast Salmon Soni’s Food
- Korean Spicy Braised Swordfish from kimchi MOM
- Larb Gai (Spicy Thai Chicken Salad) from Rhubarb and Honey
- Lemon Rosemary Chicken from Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Mediterranean Flatbread from Magnolia Days
- Mustard-Crusted Pork Roast from Sew You Think You Can Cook
- New England Seafood Chowder from Curious Cuisiniere
- Orchietti Pasta with Swiss Chard and White Cannelini Beans from Delaware Girl Eats
- Pork Paprikash from Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Red Wine-Mushroom Braised Short Ribs from The Crumby Cupcake
- Rustic Portuguese Chicken Stew from Family Foodie
- Salsa Verde Turkey Shepherd’s Pie from Food Done Light
- Sausage & Pasta in a Quick Tomato Sauce from The Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine
- Savory Ham, Cheese and Sage Waffles from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Shrimp and Asparagus Crepes from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Simple, Healthy, Light and Lemony Fettuccine from MidLife Road Trip
- Simplest Roast Chicken from Get the Good Stuff
- Slow Cooker Swedish Steak from Nosh My Way
- Smoked Mozzarella and Sausage Pizza from Confessions of a Cooking Diva
- Smothered Pork Chops from Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Spinach Spätzli with Sage and Speck from Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Turkey Cutlets with Sausage Stuffing from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Ultimate Mac and Cheese from Our Good Life
- Vegan Mexican Rice and Lentils from PancakeWarriors
- Ziti with Porcini Bolognese Sauce from Cooking Chat
Side dishes
- Gramma Buckholt’s Yeast Rolls with Maple-Cinnamon Butter from The Weekend Gourmet
- Lager and Rye Bread from What Smells So Good?
- Sweet Potato Crescent Rolls from Wholistic Woman
- Winter Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Desserts
- Bacon Buttermilk Biscuit with Chocolate Gravy Brunch with Joy
- Caramel Apple Rice Krispies Treats from Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Kahlua Buttercream Frosting from Flour On My Face
- Chocolate Hazelnut Tart from Taste And See
- Death by Chocolate from Desserts Required
- Fudge Frosted Brownies from Party Food and Entertaining
- Gluten Free Tropical Banana Pineapple Coconut Muffins from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- Layered Mousse Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Peanut Butter Cup Flourless Chocolate Cake Roll from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Pistachio Macaron from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Take the Sunday Supper Month Pledge plus Family Friendly Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.
To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It's easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
