Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Stewed Broccoli: A Rustic, Warming Side Dish
Discover this traditional Sicilian stewed broccoli dish - rich, aromatic and perfect for adding Mediterranean warmth to any meal.
📖 What is it
Discover this traditional Sicilian stewed broccoli dish - rich, aromatic and perfect for adding Mediterranean warmth to any meal.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1 kg broccoli
- ✓ Half a glass of extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ 1 glass dry white wine
- ✓ 150 g peeled tomatoes
- ✓ 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- ✓ Half tablespoon raisins
- ✓ 1 onion
- ✓ Small bunch of parsley
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Sicilian stewed broccoli - or broccoli affogati - is one of those dishes that proves just how far simple, honest ingredients can go. A classic of rural Sicilian cooking, it brings together tender broccoli, sweet onions and the aromatic notes of white wine for a dish that’s comforting, hearty and wonderfully Mediterranean.
It’s at its best in the colder months, when broccoli is at its sweetest and most flavourful. Serve it alongside roasted meats, grilled sausages or as part of a generous spread of winter vegetables - it’s the kind of side dish that warms the table and the appetite.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Clean the broccoli thoroughly and rinse well.
- 2
Boil in plenty of lightly salted water for 40 minutes, drain and keep a little cooking water aside.
- 3
Blanch the tomatoes, peel and deseed them, then chop finely.
- 4
Gently soften the chopped onion in a pan with the olive oil, drained raisins and pine nuts.
- 5
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a couple of minutes.
- 6
Once the sauce has reduced, add the broccoli and turn gently through the mixture.
- 7
Pour in a few spoonfuls of broccoli cooking water; season with salt and pepper, cover and cook over a low heat, stirring often.
- 8
Halfway through, add chopped parsley, pour in the white wine and continue cooking until the liquid has evaporated completely.
- 9
Serve piping hot with roasted or grilled meat.
💡 Tips and Variations
For extra richness, add black olives and small cubes of caciocavallo cheese.
You can also stir in some Swiss chard for a greener, softer finish.
📦 Storage
- • Keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days.
- • You can freeze the cooked dish for up to 1 month.
- • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for 10 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Pair with a Sicilian Syrah from Contea di Sclafani, served at 16–18°C after a short decanting.
Thank you for preparing this hearty Sicilian classic. Stewed broccoli is a simple but soulful dish that brings true Mediterranean warmth to your table. Enjoy!
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