As a good Sicilian, I like to occasionally bring some traditional dishes and typical of my beautiful island to the table! I don’t do it just for pride, but I firmly believe that Sicilian cuisine is quite varied and offers countless ideas to make even vegetables delicious and appealing. The recipe I propose today is a clear example! A side dish with ancient origins, “i rocculi affucati“. This term literally means “drown” and, in cooking, it is used to describe something cooked in a large amount of liquid! This dish is a must for festive occasions on the tables of Sicilians, and beyond! My grandma often prepared them for special occasions, and so did my mother after her! They are made with broccoli, olives, red wine, capers, and caciocavallo cheese, a typical aged stretched cheese made from cow’s milk. There are also some variations with tuma, another local cheese. However, as these cheeses are difficult to find outside our production area, you can replace them with equivalent cheeses from your region. At least two layers are made with all these ingredients and cooked with the lid closed, without ever lifting it, until perfectly cooked. They will release an incredible aroma and will be excellent served warm or even cold. I recommend trying them; they will be great as a simple vegetarian side dish or presented at the table as an original and unusual appetizer.

All “vegetarian” recipes are free of meat and/or fish (N.B. there may be the use of other animal-based protein foods, such as eggs and cheeses).

CURIOSITY: Did you know that the antioxidants in these vegetables allow them to play a leading role in cancer prevention? Broccoli act against free radicals responsible for cellular aging, and through them, we benefit from a boost to our immune system. The high content of vitamin C protects from oxidative damage, keeping our arteries healthy, preventing plaque buildup inside them, and reducing the risk of strokes or heart attacks. Broccoli are very rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that has an anti-aggregating action on platelets, also regulating blood pressure. Additionally, they keep our liver healthy through a detoxifying action. They can eliminate fats and toxins that accumulate in this organ, so much so that they are included and even recommended in diets to fight fatty liver. To try to maintain these nutritional values to the maximum, broccoli should be boiled for no more than 10 minutes or, better yet, steamed.