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Home ยป Recipes ยป main dish

Good Grief Going Old School with Sicilian Cauliflower Pasta

Published: Nov 17, 2019 ยท Modified: Jun 22, 2024 by Lisa Keys ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 8 Comments

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Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by Lisa Keys

Plates of penne pasta with cauliflower, herbs and product package.
Sicilian cauliflower pasta
Family reunion photo.

Sicilian Cauliflower Pasta is an updated old world favorite

Yesterday, I attended a family reunion. It was a Sicilian love fest! I felt so fortunate to grow up in a neighborhood where all my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents lived within blocks of each other. Stuck like glue everyone gathered including those who have gone before us thanks to old home movies which were shared on a big screen. 

Me with my 6th grade teacher.

The more remarkable story has to do with this lady who was in attendance. She is 89 years old. Her name is Miss Robbina. She is not a blood relative, but totally part of our family. Miss Robbina was my 6th grade teacher at McKinley School in Westfield, NJ. Over the years, she taught many of my cousins, siblings and nephews, as well. She raised us up. She engaged with our parents. They were a team of high expectations and a force to be reckoned with if:

  1. We were not doing our homework
  2. Misbehaving in class
  3. Not living up to our potential
  4. Late to class
  5. the list goes on...

As much as we might try to โ€œdivide and conquerโ€ the adults they were always in control because they supported each other.  The teachers back then were extensions of our families. Bring back the good old days in our schools. 

Inspired by those I love most here is a family friendly recipe that was recently chosen as a winner in the Explore Cuisine recipe contest. With roasted cauliflower, salty capers and sweet golden raisins it's an old school rustic recipe updated with red lentil penne.

Plates of penne pasta with cauliflower, herbs and product package.

Skillet Roasted Sicilian Cauliflower Red Lentil Penne

Lisa Keys
Red lentil penne given some Sicilian flavor with cauliflower, raisins and pine nuts
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course main dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (8 oz) box Explore Cuisine Organic Red Lentil Penne
  • ยฝ large head of cauliflower, sliced into ยพ-inch planks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ยผ cup golden raisins
  • 2 tablespoons small capers, rinsed, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยผ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Cook penne according to package directions reserving ยฝ cup of pasta cooking liquid.
  • Separate sliced cauliflower into small florets. Drizzle olive oil over bottom of large unheated skillet. Add cauliflower in a single layer. Sprinkle with pepper flakes.
  • Cover skillet and cook cauliflower over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until nicely browned. Remove cover, stir cauliflower. Add golden raisins, capers, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water and parsley; toss well.
  • Serve topped with pine nuts and parmesan.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 428mgPotassium: 339mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 214IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Keyword 4th of July, cauliflower, healthy, lentil, pasta, Sicilian, vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 2 votes

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Lou

    November 17, 2019 at 10:31 am

    Nice time yesterday. See you again real soon. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Lisa

      November 17, 2019 at 11:57 am

      Yes it was and I heard Rutgers got there butts whooped so sorry you were not at the game to console everyone

      Reply
  2. patcook1

    November 17, 2019 at 10:43 am

    Sounds wonderful as does your family reunion with your former teacher present. I am sort of an Italian "wannabe" & so happy I got to visit Sicily last year. I love all of Italy.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      November 17, 2019 at 11:56 am

      "Italian wannabe" I have heard that often ๐Ÿ™‚ I'd love to hear about your trip to Sicily as we are in the planning travel there stages. I will message you privately.

      Reply
  3. thegsandwich

    November 18, 2019 at 6:20 am

    5 stars
    Very nice. Sounds like fun. Going to Sicily myself next summer. Cannot wait.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      November 18, 2019 at 7:26 am

      Do you already have your trip plan in place? I'd love to know more about what and where you are going.

      Reply
      • thegsandwich

        November 18, 2019 at 6:54 pm

        No. But my sister and her family just returned from an extended trip there. I'll ask about highlights. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Lisa Keys

    February 09, 2025 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    Such a great tribute to my heritage. I could eat this every day.

    Reply

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