Steamed agretti in the electric pressure cooker is a light and quick side dish to prepare. Typical of these early spring days, with a tangy taste given by its name, this vegetable is also known as monk’s beard because the plant resembles the long beard of Capuchin monks.
I confess that I discovered agretti recently and they have literally won me over. Luckily they were liked by everyone in the family except the youngest. A healthy and light side dish, and the best way to enjoy this vegetable is to steam it. I used the electric pressure cooker. Once cooked, you can simply season them with oil, salt, and lemon, or use them to prepare other recipes. They also go well with eggs, for example, or to enrich a savory pie.
They cook in just a few minutes, and once cooked, they should be immersed in a basin with ice water. This way they will retain their bright green color. Curious to find out how to prepare them? Then read the recipe, because the steamed agretti in the instant pot will be ready in a click!
If you are interested in other spring side dish recipes, also read:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring
- Energy 16.50 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 1.65 (g) of which sugars 1.65 (g)
- Proteins 1.35 (g)
- Fat 0.15 (g) of which saturated 0.00 (g)of which unsaturated 0.00 (g)
- Fibers 1.73 (g)
- Sodium 2.50 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 73 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 10.6 oz agretti (to clean)
- 1 cup water
Tools
- Pressure Cooker electric
- Steamer Basket
- Cutting Board
- Knife
Steps
First, clean the agretti. Arrange the vegetables on a cutting board and use a knife to remove the lower part of the roots. Alternatively, you can break a few agretti at a time by hand. Next, pour the water into a basin with some baking soda and mix. Place the agretti inside and let them soak for a few minutes. Change the water in the basin at least 2 or 3 times, repeating the same operation until it becomes clean. Then rinse them very well under running water and drain them.
Pour water into the pot and place the basket. Lay the cleaned agretti inside the basket and close the pot, moving the lever to sealing. Set the cooking on steam for 1 minute and, after the cooking time, activate quick release by moving the lever to venting.
The steamed agretti are ready! Remove them from the pot and season with oil, salt, and lemon or use them for preparing other recipes.
Storage and Tips for Steamed Agretti
Steamed agretti can be stored in the refrigerator in a container with a lid for 1 or 2 days.
FAQ Questions and Answers for Steamed Agretti
Can I steam agretti in a traditional pressure cooker?
Yes, you can also use a traditional pressure cooker, but since agretti is a delicate type of vegetable, I recommend using very short times to avoid them disintegrating during cooking.

