The pasta with chicory is a simple soup.
Wild chicory or field chicory is an edible wild herb with digestive and diuretic properties.
When it is not available, I buy Catalonia chicory or country chicory, which is less bitter and more delicate, with a taste similar to lettuce.
Chicory is a “Liver’s Friend and not Contrary to the Stomach,” as defined by the physician Galen.
It is rich in fiber, particularly inulin: a soluble fiber useful in controlling blood sugar.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4.2 oz whole wheat spaghetti (broken)
- 1 bunch chicory (wild or cultivated)
- 2.5 cups water
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 broth cube (homemade vegetable, alternatively onion and celery)
- 1 pinch baking soda
- to taste tomato sauce (homemade)
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (raw)
Suggested Tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- 1 Saucepan preferably with a glass lid
Preparation
Clean the wild chicory and wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt.
Cultivated chicory is usually less dirty with soil or sand than wild chicory.
Cut the base of the bunch and remove the damaged outer leaves.
Clean the chicory and wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt.Drain the chicory and cut it into pieces.
In a saucepan, pour:
– 2.5 cups of water;
– a pinch of salt;
– a vegetable broth cube [alternatively, season with onion and celery];
bring to a boil, add the chicory and a pinch of baking soda to maintain the bright green color and let it cook for about 10 minutes.Add to taste tomato sauce and mix.
In the case of brothy main dishes, to avoid blood sugar spikes, it is advisable to cook the pasta separately, rinse it, and then add it to the prepared brothy seasoning; in this way, the starch released by the pasta in the cooking water is eliminated.
Cook the pasta al dente, drain it, and quickly rinse it under running water.
Meanwhile, bring the broth with the chicory back to a boil.Pour the pasta into the saucepan with the broth and chicory and mix.
Plate the dish.
Grind the pepper and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.Your pasta with chicory is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
The pasta with chicory is a main dish – a source of carbohydrates – vegetarian and easy to balance by adding a protein source and vegetables to compose a balanced meal or single dish that helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Storage, Tips, and Variations
For a stronger taste, heat a sprinkle of garlic powder and a couple of dried red chilies in the saucepan at the beginning of the preparation.
Also excellent without the addition of tomato sauce, in white.
Use whole wheat pasta to increase fiber content.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Is it suitable for children?
If cooking for children, consider their tastes; it’s better to use cultivated chicory, which is less bitter and more delicate.
