I’m eating my way through a garden of cavolo nero. Not because I feel I have to, but because I love it. It is fast to cook, bouncy and structural in the mouth, and soooooooo good for you that I feel good eating it. My favourite way is cavolo nero with chilli. I cook it briefly in boiling lightly salted water – for about 5 minutes – drain it well then toss it with loads of thinly sliced garlic and chilli cooked briefly first in a good slosh of extra virgin olive oil. For a decent bunch of cavolo nero, I use 2-3 cloves of peeled garlic, 1 hot red chilli and approximately 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sometimes I use lemon-infused extra virgin olive oil, but I don’t vary the mix that much. I just love the pungency of garlic with these strong resilient leaves, the added heat of chilli which stops me in my tracks (like, ‘wow, that is damned hot, too hot this time’, then eat the lot anyway!) and all smoothed over with a fruity coating of oil. I could, and do sometimes, eat a big bowl of it. Other nights I add a side of roasted cauliflower.
Cavolo nero & roasted cauliflower
And some nights I go the whole hog and have added pan-fried chicken thighs (yes, I ate ALL that food!).
Cavolo nero, roasted cauli & chicken thighs
Read everything you need to know about growing or buying cavolo nero, how to store it, prepare it and cook it. And what it goes with, including nutmeg, sage, parmesan, anchovies, bacon and more. Cavolo Nero
Julie,
I must compliment you highly on your writing. I always look forward to receiving your Shared Kitchen each week.
I have tried to open your Cavolo nerlo site without luck. Is it me or the link at fault?
By the way each week I cook one of your yummy recipes. I am a great fan of yours and am so sorry that I live in Havelock North and it is a bit difficult to come to your cooking classes.
Warmest regards (and to Humph)
Felicity Tetley-Jones
Hi Felicity,
that’s so lovely to hear! I’ll be down in the Wairarapa to hold a cooking class in September if that is any closer. Yes, there was a little glitch in the Cavolo Nero Link, but it is fixed now. Happy cooking Felicity.