Mangia Con Elena

Rapini/Broccoli Rabe   IG: @mangia.con.elena Pinterest: mangia con elena Depending on the region in Italy this amazing green leafy vegetable is known as rapini, broccoli rabe and cime di rape. This nutrient dense vegetable is a member of the turnip family. They are high in vitamin C and A and have anti-inflammatory properties.  Whatever you call them, they are incredible tasty. They were a staple in our house growing up. My dad grew them in the garden and we would eat them all summer long. My mom would then blanche and freeze whatever was left and in the cooler months they became a part of minestrone and other dishes such as pasta, calzone, polenta and bean dishes. Rapini can be served as a side dish and pair well with most meats but exceptionally well with pork.  They are an important part of the Mediterranean diet. My mother tells me of how they would grow them on her farm and they ate every part of the plant. They have a bitter and peppery taste that is tempered by blanching them in