When most people think of Abruzzo they think of mountains including the Appenines, the spine of Italy, but Italians know that Abruzzo stretches down to the Adriadic Sea, to fishing ports such as Giulianova or Pescara. There, fishermen ply their boats every day on the open water.
According to the cookbook from the Abruzzo Society from which I have adapted the recipe below, the combination of shellfish and broccoli rabe is quite common in the region, partly due to barter between farmers and fishermen and in part because the farmers who have boats would take them out to supplement their incomes. The dishes that combine the fruits of the sea and good things from the earth are called mare e terra, sea and land, and seldom include meat.
Abruzzo and the Adriadic are famous for their”little fishes” including pannochie(crawfish),.merluzzi (whiting), sardines, anchovies and small shrimp. Being a port ,Giulanova still has a lively fish market where shrimp, still dripping with seawater, are bought for dishes like these.
The name Orechietti with which this dish as made, comes from its shape, meaning
“small ear” but penne or cavatelli will do as well, any shaped pasta for that matter.
Orecchietti with Broccoli Rabe & Shrimp
Adapted from Traditional Cuisine of Abruzzo by the Washington DC Chapter of the Abruzzo Society
Ingredients
¾ lb orechietti pasta (penne or cavatelli will also do)
½ lb or one big bunch Broccoli Rabe
1/2 lb shelled cooked shrimp
3 tbs olive oil
3 cloves garlic smashed and peeled
½ pkg grape tomatoes
½ 15 oz jar ricotta ccheese
basil leaves to garnish dish
salt & pepper, red pepper flakes
Preparation
Bring a large amount of salted water to a boil. Separately heat oil and add the broccocoli rabe, cooking till crisp tender. Remove broccoli rabe to a side plate. Add the tomatoes and cook over open flame till they burst. Add the shrimp and the seasonings to taste. Cook 2 minutes. Cook the pasta according to directions. When al dente, remove 1 cup water and drain. Add ingredients to pasta, along with ricotta cheese and torn basil leaves. Stir to combine. Add additional water to get a consistency the family will like. Serve at once.
My Sunday Supper family is providing their favorite Italian dishes this week and here they are for your inspiration. Many thanks to Manuela from Manu's Menus who has been our host this week.
Appetizers:
- Arancini Di Riso from My Imperfect Kitchen
- Cacio e Uova Meatless Recipe from She Loves Biscotti
- Gnocchi alla Romana from Tramplingrose
- Italian Rice Balls from My World Simplified
- Rosemary Focaccia from Curious Cuisiniere
- Tomato Caprese with Burrata from Casa de Crews
Mains:
- Asparagus and lemon risotto from Un Assaggio of Food, Wine & Marriage
- Braised Italian-Style Beef Short Ribs from Hardly A Goddess
- Bruschetta Chicken from Meal Planning Magic
- Bucatini with Roasted Garlic Butter Tomato Sauce from The TipToe Fairy
- Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe and Shrimp from Delaware Girl Eats
- Cheesy Gnocchi and Sausage Bake from Confessions of a Cooking Diva
- Classic Vodka Sauce from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Eggplant Parmesan from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Fast Faux-Baked Ziti from Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Fettuccine with Asparagus and Tomato from Angels Home Sweet Homestead
- Florentine Pizza from A Mind Full Mom
- Gluten Free Meatballs and Homemade Sauce from Gluten Free Crumbley
- Green and Yellow Artichoke Tortellini with Mushrooms, Pancetta and Spring Peas with White Wine Reduction from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini from Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Homemade Fettuccini with Kale, Pancetta and a Poached Egg from Adventures in All Things Food
- Homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli from The Petit Gourmet
- Lobster Ravioli in a Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce from Family Foodie
- Mushroom Bolognese Pasta Recipe from Life Tastes Good
- Parma Rosa Baked Ziti from Palatable Pastime
- Pasta can sarde a mare – pasta with sardines at sea from Caroline’s Cooking
- Pasta e Fagioli from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Penne Pasta with Sausage and Creamy Herb Sauce from Feeding Big and more
- Pesce all’Aqua Pazza from Monica’s Table
- Polenta-Crusted Italian Sausage Pies from Wholistic Woman
- Pumpkin Agnioletti from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Seafood Canneloni with Lemon-Garlic Cream Sauce from The Weekend Gourmet
- Shrimp Fra Diavoll from Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Slow Cooker Lasagna from Food Lust People Love
- Stuffed Ravioli in Alfredo Sauce from The Freshman Cook
- Tuscan Kale Pesto Risotto from Cooking Chat
- Tuscan Porterhouse with Balsamic-Rosemary Steak Sauce and Seared Radicchio from The Texan New Yorker
- Tuscan Style Chicken Breasts from Simple and Savory
- Zuppa Toscana from Momma’s Meals
Dessert:
- Berries, Mascarpone and Marsala Budini from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Berry Tiramisu from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cannoli Cake from Moore or Less Cooking
- Cherry Walnut Biscotti from Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Tiramisu from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Fiordilatte Gelatofrom Manu’s Menu
- Italian Cream Cheesecake from The Crumby Cupcake
- Lemoncello Tiramisu from The Redhead Baker
- Limoncello Cookies from Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Orange and Almond Ricotta Cheesecake from Pine Needles In My Salad
- Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries from The Chef Next Door
- Salame al Cioccolato (Chocolate Salami) from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Strawberry Panna Cotta from From Gate to Plate
- Tiramisu Semifreddo from Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Wine and Cheese Chocolate Muffins from What Smells So Good?
- Zabaglione Gelato from Magnolia Days
Beverages:
- Bicerin (Italian Coffee) from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Easy Limoncello from Our Good Life
- Liquore all’Alloro from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Sgroppino (Frothy Italian Sorbetto Cocktail) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
And Zucchini Torta plus More Recipes for Italian Fest 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
