What’s new in your neighborhood? We’ve had an earthquake, a solar eclipse frenzy, an upcoming locust season, and probably zombie invasion too.

The earthquake was a total doozy! I thought the house was going to collapse. Everything was shaking, and the aftershocks throughout the day weren’t helping. We don’t get many earthquakes in NYC. The last significant one was probably 15 years ago. That one shook everyone and everything too. I was working with a patient when the one earlier this month happened. For once, I was lost for words, and it was the patient asking me if I was okay. I wasn’t for a minute as I just wanted to finish working and call everyone to see if they were safe, but, as a true seasoned professional, I gathered my shit together and finished the session as usual. Everyone was fine, and even my kid was home and not on his bike somewhere on the road.

We’ve had quite a few summer-like days in the past few weeks, so I wasn’t in a mood to cook anything complicated. I remembered my mom-in-law’s spaghetti con cavolfiore (spaghetti with cauliflower). It was a light and easy weeknight meal so she made it often. It’ll be 3 years in August since mom Josephine is gone. She was a tough woman with a sometimes critical perfectionist attitude, a strong spirit and a sharp mind till her literal last breath. That’s what you get in that old generation of Sicilians. “Just do it” was her motto. I wish I had even half of her determination!

Dad-in-law was gone this past Christmas. The day after to be exact. His last smile was at my son. Dare I say at his favorite one among many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as both in-laws spent the most of their time with Gus when he was growing up. I feel like the whole old world era is gone with them. In-laws were much older than my parents, of a different culture and different personalities, but they all united in their love for “the apple of their eye” – their favorite grandson. Gus was so fortunate to have two sets of very devoted grandparents. Luckily, my parents are still alive and well.

What’s Cooking This Week 

Spaghetti with cauliflower is a simple dish, suitable for vegetarians or vegans with a plant-based cheese substitution. It combines zest of tomato sauce and herbs with sweetness of raisins and a touch of honey.  It’s best to be eaten fresh but can withstand 1-2 days in the fridge to be reheated later. I used a purple cauliflower for a deep purple-red color of the dish. Regular white cauliflower with produce the same results though.

 

Josephine’s Spaghetti con Cavolfiore

(Spaghetti with Cauliflower)

 

 

I decided to use purple cauliflower and grain-free cassava spaghetti. You can use regular cauliflower and a pasta of your choice.

Chop cauliflower and shallot into small pieces. Heat up olive oil and start sautéing shallots. When they become translucent, add cauliflower with a bit of salt and pepper and continue sautéing till cauliflower is half done.

Add raisins, spices, more salt and pepper, and sauce, lower the heat, cover and let it all simmer.

In a meanwhile, boil pasta according to directions, drain, reserving about 1/3 cup of pasta water and add it to the simmering cauliflower.

Add a bit of honey and stir in pecorino Romano at the very end.

Add spaghetti, tossing it to cover with sauce and let it simmer for another 20-30 seconds.

You can sprinkle more cheese and fresh pepper if desired and serve right away.

It’s healthy and delicious and can be served year-round.

Mangia, mangia! Buon Appetito!