In the beginning of chapter four of Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees, Silvia makes this dish for her and her brother Vince, who are both vegetarian.  In the story, rigatoni pasta is used to make this dish, but of course, you can use any sort of pasta as in the recipe below in which ribbon pasta is used.  Silvia is thrilled to have the kitchen to herself as Frank is always monopolizing the kitchen.  Because he is not home, there is some peace and quiet in the house and she relishes the relaxing meal that she shares with her brother.  This meal is the perfect start to this chapter that is about Silvia contemplating the time she spent with her grandma.  “It was through her Grandma Tucci that she knew peace.”  See recipe below from Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees Blog.

Ingredients

1 pound ribbon pasta
3 cubes minced garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
1 bunch broccoli rabe
1 can garbanzo beans
3 tablespoons fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Sauté crushed garlic in olive oil for a minute or two and add broccoli rabe and beans.  In the meantime, add pasta to a big pot of rapidly boiling water, and cook until al dente.  Drain pasta and top with sautéed beans and greens.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

 

This post is from my blog series on the traditional Italian food recipes from the family drama book, “Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees.”

Grace Mattioli is the author of the Greco Family Trilogy books, including Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.