top of page

Pasta con Ceci e Cime di Rapa | Pasta with Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe Recipe

  • Writer: Pasta Grammar
    Pasta Grammar
  • Oct 13, 2024
  • 3 min read

This humble pasta dish doesn’t sound very exciting, but it’s one of the most satisfying (not to mention addicting) southern Italian comfort foods. This is truly an example of a recipe that’s greater than the sum of its parts!


pasta-con-ceci-cime-di-rapa-chick-pea-italian-broccoli-rabe-recipe-authentic-pasta-grammar
Pasta con Ceci e Cime di Rapa | Pasta with Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe Recipe

While the dish can be enjoyed all year round, it is often traditionally prepared for the Festa di San Giuseppe, or St. Joseph’s Day.


A Note on Chickpeas


This recipe calls for pre-cooked chickpeas. You can cook them yourself, from dried, measuring about half the final desired weight (in this case, you would cook 200 grams of dry chickpeas to arrive at about 400 grams of cooked chickpeas).


To cook dry chickpeas, soak them in water and a small spoonful of baking soda overnight. The next day, thoroughly drain and rinse the chickpeas, then place them in a pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil, partially cover the pot, and cook the chickpeas until they are soft and tender but not mushy (it can take 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the quantity).


Occasionally stir the chickpeas by gently swirling the pot. If the water reduces too much, add more warm water to keep the chickpeas covered. When cooked, salt the chickpeas to taste and turn off the heat, keeping them in the water where they were cooked and using a slotted spoon to remove them when it’s time to make the pasta sauce.


You can also use canned chickpeas. In this case, drain the chickpeas (note that the weight listed below is for drained chickpeas) and use warm water as a substitute for the chickpea cooking water used below, as the canning liquid is usually too thick and salty for the sauce.


Watch the Pasta Grammar video:




PASTA CON CECI E CIME DI RAPA RECIPE


Makes: 3 to 4 servings

Cook Time: 30 minutes


For this recipe, you will need:

  • Salt

  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for topping

  • 1 clove garlic, peeled

  • 1 dry chili pepper, chopped (optional)

  • 14 ounces (400 g) cooked chickpeas (see above)

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) tomato puree

  • 7 ounces (200 g) candele pasta

  • 10.5 ounces (300 g) broccoli rabe


Put a large pot of water on to boil and salt it generously. While the water comes up to temperature, heat the olive oil, garlic and chili pepper in a large pan over medium heat.


When the garlic starts to sizzle, add the chickpeas and just enough of the chickpea cooking water to cover the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato puree, remove and discard the garlic clove, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Salt the sauce to taste.


Let the sauce cook over low heat while you boil the broccoli rabe, adding a little bit of hot water from the pot as needed if the liquid in the pan evaporates.


Place the broccoli rabe in the boiling water. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the thickest parts of the stem are tender. Remove the broccoli rabe with tongs or a slotted ladle and add into the pan with the chickpea sauce. Keep the pot of water boiling, you’ll use it to cook the pasta.


Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut the broccoli rabe directly in the pan into bite-size pieces. Let the sauce continue to simmer while you cook the pasta. Ladle a little more hot water from the pot into the pan as needed to maintain a simmer.



Break the candele pasta into pieces, about 4 inches (10 cm) long. Do so over a kitchen towel so that you don’t lose any small pieces that might break off. Using the towel, pour the broken pasta into the pot of water and cook for 3 minutes less than the recommended “al dente” cook time as written on the pasta package.


Reserve a large cup of pasta water, then drain the cooked pasta through a colander and return it to the pot. Add the chickpea sauce into the pasta and stir all together over medium/high heat. Add enough reserved pasta water to retain some moisture in the pot so that the pasta can continue to cook.


When the pasta is al dente to your taste and the broccoli rabe has largely dissolved into a creamy sauce, turn up the heat to high and keep stirring until the excess moisture has thickened. Serve immediately, topped with a drizzle of olive oil.


Buon appetito!



458 Comments


PramodH SenthiA
PramodH SenthiA
4 hours ago

I must say that Reddybook has presented me with an excellent, secure Experiences Platform to use. Reddy Book provides me with fast deposits and easy game play, and Reddy Book Club offers special rewards so I feel more secure, speedier and more fun each time I make a bet. know more :- https://reddybooks.org.in/

Like

abhijeet patil
abhijeet patil
6 days ago

After exploring numerous online betting platforms, Mahadev Online Book stands out as a clear favorite. Featuring an intuitive interface and a wide variety of games, this platform offers a seamless and secure gaming experience. With easy and hassle-free registration for your online book betting ID or online cricket ID book, players can get started quickly without any delays. Backed by 24/7 customer support and a strong commitment to responsible gaming, Mahadev Online Book ensures that every user enjoys a safe and trustworthy environment. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to online gaming, Mahadev Online Book provides everything you need for an engaging and reliable betting journey.


To learn more, visit https://mahadevbooks.digital/

Like

Nexa Transfer
Nexa Transfer
Aug 04

This Pasta con Ceci e Cime di Rapa looks both hearty and comforting — a true taste of Italian tradition! I love how food can inspire travel and exploration. If you're ever in the UK and craving easy, stress-free travel between culinary adventures, check out Nexa Transfers. Our pre-booked taxi service offers smooth airport and city transfers with professional drivers and comfortable vehicles. Traveling well should be as satisfying as a good plate of pasta!

Like

Lucy Reginald
Lucy Reginald
Aug 02

cm miner cm miner

cpspai cpspai

cpspai cpspai

qfscoin qfscoin

dnsbtc dnsbtc

qfscoin qfscoin

dnsbtc dnsbtc

paxmining paxmining

paxmining paxmining

golden mining golden mining

optominer optominer

EarnMining EarnMining

ri mining ri mining

Like

Lucy Reginald
Lucy Reginald
Aug 02

cm miner cm miner

cpspai cpspai

cpspai cpspai

qfscoin qfscoin

dnsbtc dnsbtc

qfscoin qfscoin

dnsbtc dnsbtc

paxmining paxmining

paxmining paxmining

golden mining golden mining

optominer optominer

EarnMining EarnMining

ri mining ri mining

Like
bottom of page