Bucatini and Cauliflower Recipe

Bucatini and Cauliflower - serves 4 to 6

We are coming into cauliflower season and this is a great Sicilian vegetarian dish that all can enjoy.

¼ cup of raisins or currants
1 large head cauliflower broken down into bite-sized florets
1 pound bucatini*
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 to 2 anchovy fillets
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons lightly toasted pine nuts
1/3 cup finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt

Directions
1. Soak the raisins in warm water for 15 minutes to hydrate
2. Bring a very large pot of well salted water to a rolling boil-it should taste like the sea but not the dead sea. Boil the cauliflower florets for 5 to 6 minutes and remove with a slotted spoon. Return the water to a boil and cook the bucatini until al dente (approximately 10 minutes). Drain and reserve a scant ½ cup of the pasta water.
3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. The skillet should be able to accommodate the full pound of pasta when finished. Add onion and sauté until just beginning to brown, approximate 5 to 6 minutes. Add the anchovy fillets and break them up and then add the garlic. Saute for about a minute more.
4. Drain the raisins and stir raisins, cauliflower and pine nuts into sautéed onion and garlic mixture. Add the ½ cup of pasta cooking water and cook for 10 minutes to thicken. Gently stir parsley into cauliflower and season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer drained pasta into a warmed serving bowl and dress with cauliflower sauce. Serve at once.

*Bucatini is a long pasta with a hole in the center. It can be found at Trader Joes and other specialty groceries