Simple Sundays | Jonathan Waxman’s Bucatini with Artichokes, Cipolline and Fava Beans
It feels like spring eternal here in the Bay Area. The rain refuses to go away, almost taunting us, pouring in June. Cold, dreary rain in June is unheard of, at least around these parts. I’m not an agriculturalist, but I imagine the crops are benefiting.
I can’t think of California without its artichokes. The first time I drove to Monterey was the first time I saw fields and fields of these thistle-y wonders. To me, bouquets of this edible flower are one of Spring’s special gifts.
With the rain pouring steadily outdoors, it was a perfect day for me to spend the afternoon cooking to my heart’s content. I wanted to try a recipe by chef Jonathan Waxman; the Top Chef alumnus recently released a new cookbook, and this recipe featuring artichokes is one of them.
The pasta embraces all that is spring, and also includes an ingredient I often overlook: fava beans.
I forgot how delicious fava beans are, and it provided a wonderful opportunity for my daughter to get involved in the kitchen. She’s been showing a lot more interest in helping out, so I set her to work shelling the beans.
Getting her to taste the beans is another story (darn). I was hoping she would want to taste the fruits of her labor.
But that’s quite alright, because she devoured the rest of the dish. We all did, and I’m happy to say we found a new recipe the whole family loves.
Make it Simple
I haven’t forgotten that this is a Simple Sundays post. There are many ways you can simplify this dish even more so that it can be enjoyed with virtually no effort at all, all year round.
- If you are intimidated by working with artichokes, or perhaps do not have the time to prepare them for this dish, opt for good quality jarred artichoke hearts.
- Fresh fava beans may be hard to find. Do not fret. This dish would also work well with edamame, which is readily available, and does not require two-step shelling.
- Roasting the cipolline onions lends a beautiful flavor to the dish, please try not to skip this. However, if you can not find cipollines, pearl onions would make a great substitute. Halve them after roasting and peeling.
- Bucatini is a spaghetti-like pasta with a hole through the middle, like a straw. If you can’t find it, spaghetti works just fine.
- For the carnivores in your family who may not be able to fathom a vegetarian dish, this pasta works brilliantly with some crumbled chicken sausage, first browned then tossed into the pan with the pasta. I’m not sure Chef Waxman would approve, but my family does.
Jonathan Waxman's Bucatini with Artichokes, Cipolline and Fava Beans
Yield: Serves 4
Embrace the seasonal flavors in this tender recipe from celebrated chef Jonathan Waxman, author of Italian, My Way: More Than 150 Simple and Inspired Recipes That Breathe New Life into Italian Classics.
This is the quintessential spring pasta — entirely vegetarian. I love the wonderful flavors of the baby artichokes, small onions and the brilliant green fava beans. The vegetables are cooked until al dente, then gently stewed together with the vegetable broth, olive oil, a touch of sweet butter and lemon zest. A great way to start a spring dinner.
Ingredients:
6 baby artichokes
1 cup shelled fresh fava beans
4 cipolline (small flat onions originally from Umbria), peeled
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste
2 spring onions
1 pound bucatini
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 pint cherry tomatoes
12 fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Zest of 1 lemonDirections:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
2. To clean the baby artichokes: Peel away the outside leaves and cut off the top 1/2 inch. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the tough outer skin from the stem. Cut the artichokes into quarters. Cook in simmering salted water until al dente. In a small pot, cook the fava beans until al dente, then peel them.
3. Place the cipolline in a square of aluminum foil, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and close the foil. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, peel and quarter. Wash and dry the spring onions and slice them into quarters.
4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain. In a skillet, heat the butter and the remaining olive oil, add the artichokes, favas, cipolline, spring onions and the tomatoes and sauté for 5 minutes, then add the basil. Add the pasta to the vegetables and toss in the Parmesan. Season with the lemon zest and serve immediately.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Waxman first stepped into the culinary scene in 1970 when he retired from his career as a professional trombonist to enroll in the La Varenne cooking school in Paris. After working at the prestigious Chez Panisse alongside Alice Waters, he brought New American cuisine to New York City by opening the restaurants Jams and Washington Park. Today, he is the chef-owner of the Big Apple's Barbuto, an Italian brasserie.
Recipe courtesy Simon & Schuster.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. The recipe and your photos.
Liren replied: — June 5th, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Thank you, Barb!
Great recipe! Yummy!
Pretty Artichokes! Great recipe for spring!
I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind a little rain – been so hot here!! This is a lovely fresh meal!
Liren replied: — June 5th, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
It sounds like we should trade places – I’m yearning for warm weather! I guess what I love about this dish is that it is perfect for both cold and warm temperatures :)
Liren, I love how you use fresh seasonal ingredients. Seems the efforts paid off. Beautiful post! Shulie
Lovely picture of the artichoke Liren.I just wanna grab that fork and dig in.Everything looks so summery & fresh!!
Love your Simple Sunday recipes, Liren! And this beautiful pasta is no exception. I know you all have been getting more rain, but hopefully this bright summery dish chased the gray away!
This looks like a beautiful Spring dish! I love the color and lighter style of this dish. I too have memories of driving through Monterey and seeing miles on end of artichoke plants.
Even though summer has definitely arrived here in San Diego, I could totally get into making this dish, I am also forwarding it to a friend who loves artichokes – she will probably make it with baby ones. And it uses bucatini! I just stumbled onto this pasta and am dying to try it. I know it wont taste any different, but still… :)
Liren replied: — June 6th, 2011 @ 10:57 am
I know what you mean – bucatini does not taste different, but because of its straw like feature, it holds in some of the flavorful juices from the light sauce! And baby artichokes are definitely the way to go, I hope your friend loves it as much as we did.
You and Greg from Sippity Sup are thinking very similarly. I ADORE all of these wonderful ingredients and I especially appreciate how quick and easy this is.
Hi Liren! Congrats on Top9! I just saw it right before I came to your site. This is a beautiful pasta! I’ve never tried cooking artichockes and I only eat at a restaurant or parties. I should give it a try. Your pictures are all so gorgeous! Hopefully we’ll get sunshine soon. I’m tired wearing winter/fall. Have a great week!
Perfect seasonal recipe, using one of my springtime favorites – artichokes!
Congratulations on Top 9! You must be getting this a lot (being a regular on top 9) but know that you are an inspiration to many like me!
I could trade places with you.. I love the rain and with a bowl of this bucatini who doesn’t? Haha.. but seriously, I hope it dries out soon for you guys to have a hint of summer! Take care!
Malou
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