Easy Purple Sprouting Broccoli Pasta

Method

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.

Prepare the Broccoli: In the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the purple sprouting broccoli florets to the pot. Continue to cook until both the pasta and broccoli are tender.

Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. If using, add the minced garlic and chopped chili, and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.

Combine and Serve: Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a small cup of the cooking water. Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the frying pan with the sautéed aromatics. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water if needed to loosen the mixture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Note: Purple sprouting broccoli is a seasonal vegetable available from late February to early May. If it’s not in season, you can substitute with standard broccoli (calabrese).

For babies: To make this dish suitable for younger children, chop the broccoli into very small pieces and use tiny pasta shapes. Alternatively, serve the broccoli and pasta in larger pieces for older children to handle.