Italian Verdura Recipe: A Budget-Friendly Sicilian Lunch For Less than €2

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲! Today, we’ll share a tasty Italian Verdura recipe from my Mother-in-Law, Nonna. Learn how to make a budget-friendly Sicilian lunch for less than €2!

Verdura, a cherished Sicilian dish, is a culinary masterpiece that harmoniously blends flavors and textures. The delicate endive, with its slightly bitter yet refreshing taste, takes the spotlight, enhanced by the subtle warmth of garlic and the gentle spice of red pepper flakes.

The recipe’s simplicity allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through. As the endive simmers in the fragrant broth, its texture softens while retaining a pleasant crunch. The addition of raw olive oil at the end adds a touch of sweetness and a delightful contrast to the savory broth.

Verdura is a versatile dish that can be savored in a multitude of ways. It can be a light and refreshing appetizer, a hearty main course, or a delightful side dish to complement other Sicilian delicacies.

The dish’s versatility and ease of preparation make it a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs.

Whether you’re a seasoned Sicilian food enthusiast or simply looking to explore new culinary horizons, Verdura is a must-try recipe that will leave you craving more.

Its timeless appeal and enduring popularity testify to its deliciousness and cultural significance.

▶️ Ingredients:

• 1 bunch curly endive
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Raw olive oil

▶️ Method and Instruction:

• Prepare the endive: Remove the core from the endive and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, changing the water a few times to remove any grit.
• Cook the endive: Bring enough water to cover the endive to a boil in a pot. Add the garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Simmer: Add the prepared endive to the boiling water and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
• Finish with olive oil: Remove the pot from the heat and add a drizzle of raw olive oil. Stir gently to combine.

Serve the Verdura hot, either as a first course or a main dish. Enjoy this classic Sicilian recipe.

Italian Verdura Recipe

We went to Carini this morning to get something to make a simple Sicilian lunch. We went to the vegetable and fruit stand to see what they had, and we ended up getting some greens, in this case, endive to make verdura.

Croce soaks the garlic in a bowl of water because he says they’re easier to peel.

It’s a very simple dish. A lot of people have the endive in the broth with pasta, they’ll break spaghetti, or other types, but we like to have it with just with the broth sometimes because it’s very light.

Preparing Endive

So you have to core the endive, and he is cutting it in half, and then quarters, and removing any brown spots.

So you just remove any bad parts, and then cut into bite-sized chunks. And then we rinse thoroughly in a sink of cold water, and we change the rinse water about three different times, actually.

Then we use enough water in the pot to cover. And there’s just fresh garlic in there with salt, pepper, and you can add red pepper flakes or peperoncino.

Finishing Touch

We finish with raw olive oil which adds a sweet freshness to the verdura.

This Sicilian recipe can be used as a first course or the main dish.

This recipe has been passed down from my Mother-in-Law, and it’s a comfort food that’s good for your stomach and digestion.

Enjoy.