Step 1

To prepare the orecchiette pasta , first pour the remilled durum wheat semolina flour on the pastry board, form a fountain 1 and add a pinch of salt to the flour 2 . Pour the water at room temperature in the center 3

Step 2

and start working with your fingers 4 to incorporate the flour. Knead 5 until the dough is smooth and elastic. It'll take about ten minutes. Give the dough a round shape 6 and cover it with a cloth: it should rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Step 3

After this time, take a piece of dough, covering the rest with a cloth. Make a roll about 1/3-inch (1 cm) thick ( 7-8 ). Using a pastry cutter, cut small pieces about 1/3-inch (1 cm) long 9 .

Step 4

With the help of a butter knife, form small shells by dragging each piece of dough towards you on the pastry board 10 . Then turn the shell back on itself 11 . Continue until you finish all the dough and you will have made your Apulian orecchiette pasta 12 .

Step 5

For the broccoli rabe : clean them by removing the outer leaves and with a small knife (or with your fingers) take only the inner leaves and the flower 13 . Once ready rinse them 14 , drain them 15 , dry them well, and set them aside. In the meantime, heat a pot with plenty of water, salted to taste, which will be used to boil the broccoli rabe.

Step 6

In a large skillet pour half of the oil and add the breadcrumbs 16 , mix with a rubber spatula and let it toast over medium heat, until golden brown 17 , then set aside. As soon as the water has started to boil , cook the previously cleaned broccoli rabe 18 for about 5 minutes.

Step 7

In the meantime, prepare the sauté: in a frying pan pour the remaining oil, an unpeeled crushed garlic clove , and the drained anchovy fillets 19 . Mix with a wooden spatula to dissolve the anchovies in the skillet 20 ; it will only take a few minutes for the fried anchovies to flavor the sauté. When ready, remove the garlic 21 and turn off the heat.

Step 8

After cooking the greens for 5 minutes, add the orecchiette pasta 22 in the same pot and cook for another 5 minutes or so. Mix gently 23 , then drain and place the orecchiette pasta and broccoli rabe into the skillet with the sauté 24 .

Step 9

Stir fry briefly and add salt to taste 25 ; once ready, turn off the heat 26 and place your orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe on a plate, finishing off with a drizzle of oil and the toasted breadcrumbs 27 .