Vegetarian mains
Pasta with turnip, turnip greens and garlic crumbs
A delectable, cheap and filling winter pasta dish. If your turnips come with fresh green leaves, use them here. If not, try kale or chard instead.
Cook's notes
We've used Parmesan in this recipe but if you are vegetarian you can use an alternative. Good vegetarian Parmesan can be difficult to get hold of; vegetarian Pecorino is often tastier
Ingredients
- 400g turnip greens, chard or kale, or a mix, tough stalks removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 anchovy fillets (optional)
- 2 large turnips, peeled and cut into large matchsticks
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- 400g pasta e.g. penne
- crumbs from 2 slices bread
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Parmesan, grated to serve
- salt and pepper
Method
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Step 1
Pull the large stalks from the leaves and discard. Blanch leaves in salted boiling water until just al dente - still retaining a little 'bite'. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop cooking and squeeze out, then chop finely.
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Step 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan and stir in the anchovies until they disintegrate.
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Step 3
Add the turnip and when it begins to brown add the garlic and the chilli. Fry for another minute then add the greens and continue cooking gently until the leaves are soft and quite dry, around 7-10 minutes. Season to taste.
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Step 4
Cook the pasta according to packet instruction. Fry the crumbs in the olive oil until golden and crunchy.
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Step 5
Drain the cooked pasta, add the turnip and greens and mix through. Serve with the crumbs and Parmesan scattered over.
