Spaghetti With Broccoli Rabe, Toasted Garlic & Breadcrumbs

Ingredients

• salt
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, more as needed
• 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
• 1 cup breadcrumbs, preferably homemade
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste)
• 1 lb broccoli rabe, trimmed and washed
• 1 lb spaghetti or linguine or other long pasta
• fresh ground black pepper
• freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When oil is warm, cook garlic just until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add bread crumbs and red pepper flakes and cook until bread crumbs are golden, 5 minutes or so. Remove and set aside.

2. 2

   Cook broccoli rabe in boiling water until it is soft, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain well and chop. Cook pasta in same pot.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, add remaining oil to skillet over medium-low heat. Add broccoli rabe and toss well; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When it is warm add garlic and bread crumbs and mix well.

4. 4

   When pasta is done, drain it, reserving a little cooking water. Toss pasta in skillet with broccoli rabe mixture, moistening with a little reserved water if necessary. Adjust seasonings and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.