Italian Romanesco Cauliflower Salad

Description

This is a traditional salad from Naples, known as Insalata di Rinforzo, which is typically served at Christmas time. It’s lovely and colorful as it uses cauliflower, lime green Romanesco and dark green broccoli and is jazzed up with olives and red pickled peppers. It is served with a lemon-based vinaigrette and sometimes anchovies and capers.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds broccoli, broken into florets
  • 1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
  • 1 head Romanesco cauliflower, broken into florets
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 6 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 10 green Italian olives, or more to taste
  • 10 black Italian olives, or more to taste
  • 2 papaccelle (pickled sweet peppers), cut into strips

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook uncovered until just tender
  2. about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon
  3. reserving water
  4. and let cool.
  5. Stir cauliflower into the boiling water. Cook until just tender
  6. about 3 minutes. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon
  7. reserving water
  8. and let cool.
  9. Stir Romanesco cauliflower into the boiling water. Cook until just tender
  10. about 3 minutes. Drain and let cool.
  11. Whisk lemon juice
  12. olive oil
  13. garlic
  14. oregano
  15. salt
  16. and pepper together in a small bowl to make dressing.
  17. Layer broccoli
  18. cauliflower
  19. and Romanesco cauliflower on a round serving plate. Decorate each layer with green and black olives and strips of papaccelle. Pour dressing on top.

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 8

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