Pasta with artichokes. – The Pasta Mission

This conventional recipe from Sardinia for pasta with artichokes is made with typical Sardinian elements; fregola (fregula), globe artichokes and Pecorino cheese. It’s a straightforward to make, easy and light-weight fregola recipe which you could eat sizzling or chilly. Good as a starter, facet dish or weeknight meal.

What’s fregola?

Also referred to as fregula, fregola is a small pasta distinctive to the island of Sardinia. It’s generally known as Sardinian or Italian couscous. Italians name it fregola sarda. Fregola is made from balls of durum wheat semolina and water, rolled by hand, after which toasted within the oven. This provides it a definite nutty taste and golden colour.

Historical past of Fregola.

Sardinian fregola is a really historic sort of pasta. Based on some meals historians, this pasta dates again to the ten^th century! Some individuals consider that fregola derives from couscous. In actual fact, they assume the Phoenicians, the Punics or the Carthaginians introduced it to Sardinia.

Nonetheless, many Sardinians assume otherwise. They are saying there’s no proof to show that fregola did not originate in Sardinia! You’ll be able to learn extra about this fascinating pasta in my fregola publish.

Sardinian artichokes.

Artichokes are additionally an iconic Sardinian ingredient.  The islanders put together them in many various methods other than this fregola with artichokes recipe. One other common native recipe is deep fried artichoke with mint and Sardinian ricotta cheese.

Identified in English because the spiky Sardinian artichoke, (Carciofi Spinoso Sardo), Sardinian globe artichokes look completely different from different varieties. They’ve conical, elongated heads with sharp yellow-red spines on each their bracts and leaves. As well as, these artichokes even have a sweeter taste than different sorts and are even eaten uncooked in salads.

Sardinian artichokes are a lot wanted and have a DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) standing. This implies strict guidelines apply to the place and the way they’re grown. 

Historical past of Sardinian artichokes.

The presence of the artichoke in Sardinia dates again to the time of the Phoenicians. Over the centuries, artichokes have turn out to be probably the most necessary agricultural productions on the island. Apparently, they’ve even been talked about in literary works because the 18^th century.

Curiously, the significance of artichoke cultivation in Sardinia is highlighted by the truth that within the 19^th century, farmers used to pay an ‘insurance coverage tax’ for the surveillance of their artichoke fields!

Principal elements on this pasta with artichokes.

The artichokes: The primary ingredient of this dish is the spiny artichoke from Sardinia. Nonetheless, you need to use different forms of globe artichokes and even frozen or canned artichoke hearts, able to cook dinner and accessible at any time of the 12 months.

The pasta: Fregola (fregula) is the standard pasta for this Sardinian recipe. The pasta must be cooked in broth in a technique generally known as risottata, that means like risotto.

So, should you don’t have fregola accessible, the most effective can be to make use of one other small pasta or pastina corresponding to orzo. Orzo can also be typically cooked in the identical means as risotto. Alternatively, use Israeli couscous which has similarities to fregola.

The cheese: Pecorino Romano and Pecorino Sardo are each made in Sardinia and can be the cheeses most used on this recipe. In fact, you may as well use Parmigiano though it has a much less salty flavour than Pecorino. Nonetheless, none of those cheeses are vegetarian as they comprise animal rennet. To make this recipe vegetarian, use a tough cheese that incorporates a vegetable rennet.

The broth: You want no less than a litre of vegetable broth for this pasta with artichokes as a result of the fregola cooks within the broth. I used a prepared made natural vegetable broth. Nonetheless, do-it-yourself broth would even be an excellent selection.

Leeks: This recipe requires one massive leek. Leeks add a candy oniony flavour which is milder and extra delicate than most sorts of onion. You’ll be able to substitute the leek with shallots or delicate onions.

Different elements.

Garlic: Garlic is a key ingredient in lots of Italian recipes though an excessive amount of garlic can overpower the opposite flavors. This recipe requires simply 1-2 garlic cloves.

Parsley: Parsley provides a contemporary clear taste to any recipe you utilize it in. On this dish, parsley is used each within the cooking and when serving!

Olive Oil: For finest outcomes use a superb high quality additional virgin olive oil if accessible. You solely want just a little and it actually provides a beautiful aroma and taste different oils lack.

Lemon juice: The juice of 1 lemon is used on this recipe to soak and protect the color of the ready artichokes.

Step-by-step directions.

First, put together the artichokes. Take away the toughest exterior leaves and the information of the artichokes. Then lower them in half and take away the inner beard, lower the artichokes into skinny slices, and soak them in water with lemon juice, to protect the colour.

Within the meantime, wash the leek and lower it into skinny slices, wash and chop the parsley and peel and chop the garlic.

Step 2: Place a deep-frying pan or skillet on the warmth with just a few tablespoons of additional virgin olive oil and, when it’s sizzling, add the leek lower into slices, leaving it to sauté for a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Add the artichokes. Let all the things cook dinner for about 10 minutes over a medium warmth.

Step 4: Add the chopped garlic and parsley. Combine all the things collectively and cook dinner for five minutes extra.

Step 5: Pour the fregola into the pan and blend it into the greens. Permit it to sauté just a little.

Step 6: Pour a few ladles of vegetable broth into the pan stir and let the pasta take in it.

Step 7: Proceed including broth and stirring till the fregola is al dente. The identical means you’d make a risotto. It can take about 20-25 minutes. On the finish of cooking, the fregola and artichokes must be comfortable and the dish just a little soupy.

Step 8: Flip off the warmth, stir a beneficiant serving to of pecorino into the fregola with artichokes, combine nicely and serve sizzling with a sprinkling of extra contemporary parsley and grated pecorino. Season with salt and pepper as required.

What to do with leftovers.

Leftovers of fregola pasta with artichokes will be saved in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Nonetheless, freezing isn’t advisable.

You’ll be able to reheat the leftovers within the microwave or eat them as a salad with a touch of olive oil. In actual fact, I actually like doing the latter and have additionally added canned tuna to the leftovers.

Let me know what you assume.

If you happen to make pasta with artichokes recipe, I’d love to listen to the way it seems and should you favored it. Please go away a remark right here on the weblog or on The Pasta Mission Fb web page. Wanting ahead to listening to from you.

Buon appetito!

Different fregola/fregula recipes value making an attempt.

1. Fregola with clams
2. Chickpeas with fregola
3. Fregola with lamb

Pin for later.

If you’re inquisitive about studying methods to make do-it-yourself pasta and several types of gnocchi, take a look at my store web page for some nice video on-line programs from my associates in Rome! Nothing beats studying to make pasta from Italians! Plus when you’re there why not order a replica of one among my pasta recipe cookbooks or checkout some advisable pasta making instruments? All nice prezzies for pasta lovers!