Description
A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish featuring trofie pasta tossed with purple sprouting broccoli in a savory anchovy, garlic, and preserved lemon sauce. Finished with zesty lemon and crispy chili breadcrumbs, this recipe offers a delightful balance of umami, citrus, and spice, perfect for a comforting yet sophisticated meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Base
- 8 anchovy fillets, finely chopped, plus 2 tbsp oil from the jar
- 100g butter
- 2 red onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 3 small preserved lemons, seeds and flesh removed, skin finely chopped
Pasta and Vegetables
- 400g trofie pasta (or another small pasta shape)
- 300g purple sprouting broccoli
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil
Chilli Breadcrumbs
- 150g fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 good pinches of dried chilli flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the anchovy sauce: Drizzle the oil from the anchovy jar into a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped anchovies and stir for 2 minutes to break them up. Add the butter, swirling the pan until melted and foaming. Stir in the sliced onions and sizzle gently for 10 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and preserved lemon skin, stirring for another minute.
- Cook pasta and broccoli: Bring a large saucepan of salted boiling water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Then add the purple sprouting broccoli and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and broccoli tender. Scoop out a mugful of pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander.
- Make the chilli breadcrumbs: While pasta cooks, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the fresh breadcrumbs and stir regularly until golden and crispy. Remove from heat and mix in the lemon zest and chilli flakes.
- Combine pasta with sauce: Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the pan with the anchovy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water and the lemon juice. Cook for a few minutes, stirring continuously until the sauce is silky smooth and coats the pasta evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and sprinkle generously with the crispy chilli breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Preserved lemons add a unique tangy flavor; if unavailable, substitute with finely chopped lemon zest plus a teaspoon of lemon juice, though the flavor will differ.
- Trofie pasta can be swapped with other small pasta shapes like penne or fusilli if needed.
- To reduce saltiness, adjust the amount of anchovies or rinse them lightly before use.
- For a spicier kick, increase the dried chilli flakes in the breadcrumbs.
- Ensure to reserve pasta water as it helps to achieve a silky sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Pasta, anchovies, preserved lemon, purple sprouting broccoli, chilli breadcrumbs, Italian pasta recipe, trofie pasta, garlic sauce, lemon zest
