Romanesco : The Alien Vegetable

Well that's what everyone says anyways.  When you look up romanesco online everyone says its alien.  It does look pretty funny don't you think?  I've never seen or heard of it before, but we got it in our Riverford Organic Veggie Box on Friday.  That's the great thing about this box program - its full of surprises and it introduces me to things I'd never even think about buying.

Unfortunately with Romanesco, judging by the amount of recipes using it as an ingredient, lots of people are scared to try it.  However, it tastes much more familiar than it looks - like a cross between cauliflower and broccoli.  To be honest the taste is almost disappointing.  I wanted it to taste as spectacular as it looked.  No such luck though.  It does taste good, if your not setting insurmountable standards for this little green veggie.

I started off using a recipe from Jamie Oliver - but it was pretty bland so I won't bother posting it.  Here's my recipe all doctored up!

Pasta with Romanesco and Spicy Tomato Sauce  

Ingredients

• 200 grams pasta - I used conchiglie
• 1 head of Romanesco cut into florets 
• 2 cloves garlic finely sliced
• Handful of Parmesan cheese
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 good pinch of chili flakes

Boil your pasta according to instructions and set aside.  In a wok or large pan, on low heat, add enough E.V.O.O. (ha I'm so Rachel Ray!) to coat the bottom of your pan.  Add garlic and chili flakes.  When the garlic is tender add your romanesco and heat it for about 2 minutes.  

Add salt and pepper, a dash of water and two tablespoons of tomato paste to the pan.  When the alien veggie is nice and tender add the pasta and Parmesan and heat through.  

  

This is a pretty decent weeknight meal.  Quick and easy to make.  Nothing you'd write home about, but a good way to try out this new crazy vegetable.