Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 medium-sized head cauliflower, cut in large florets
- 1 teaspoon saffron
- 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 3 anchovy fillets, salted variety, rinsed and filleted
- 1 1/2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 1/4 pounds ziti
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino-Romano
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Directions
Bring 6-quarts of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt. Place the cauliflower florets into the boiling water. Cook until the cauliflower is slightly resistant to a fork, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving the cooking water. Set aside. Pour 1/4 cup of the cauliflower cooking water into a small bowl. Add the saffron and let it dissolve. Set aside.
In a 12 to 14-inch saute pan over high heat, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil until almost smoking. Add the garlic, florets and anchovies, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the pine nuts and saute for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Bring the cauliflower water back to a boil and add the ziti. Cook until parboiled, about half-done. Drain well.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Pour the ziti into a large, deep, ovenproof casserole. Stir in the cauliflower mixture and 1/2 of the cheese. Sprinkle with the saffron water and mix gently. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Crumble the bread crumbs on top and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve immediately.















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By nvsusanbradley_...
on October 14, 2007
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This was wonderful as is, or with some fontina cheese before the breadcrumbs. It's is also a great way to prepare cauliflower alone if you don't want the pasta.
By wyomingg_446395
Ann Arbor, MI
on March 22, 2007
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There are few recipes that surprise me with their taste. This was one. I was looking for an alternative for Mark Bitteman's Baked Ziti recipe which is a staple in our house during the winter. I looked at this recipe and had to make it. It was amazing!! My husband loved it and I can't wait to make it for my parents. I did take the advice of another reviewer and put sliced, frresh mozzerella on the top.
By oldfazz_6385959
WILLIS, TX
on November 14, 2006
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Just before adding the breadcrubs to the top, add aprox. 1 cuo ofsliced or shreded Mozzarella & 1/2 cup additional pecorino-romano cheese then the breadcrumbs & sprinkle with EVOO & bake as sugested in the recipe.. Then you have created: Ziti Gratinati de Palarmo... Old Fazz
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