Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage Recipe

Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage derives its big flavor. The vegetables themselves added crunch and flavor-and saved us from having to prep a number of ingredients-while the brine added bright, tangy notes to the sauce. Browned Italian sausage, sauteed onions, chopped giar­diniera vegetables, and canned tomato sauce gave us a boldly flavored sauce in little time. Chopped basil added a fresh finishing touch. Look for giardiniera either at the olive bar in the supermar­ket or next to the jarred pickles; one (16-ounce) jar of giardiniera will yield enough for this recipe.

Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage Recipe – Sausage

Remove sausage from cading and cook in a 12′ skillet – breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Finely chop onions, stir into skillet, and cook until softened and lightly browned – about 10 – 12 minutes.

Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage Recipe – Sauce

Drain giardiniera, reserving 6 tablespoons brine and chop coarsely. Stir giardiniera, 4 tablespoons broth and tomato sauce in skillet and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.

Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage Recipe – Fusili Pasta

Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add Fusili pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook – stirring often – until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooing water and then drain pasta and return it to the pot. Chop 1/2 cup basil and add it to the pasta with the sausage mixture and 1 tablespoon brine and then toss to combine. Season with salt, pepper and remaining 1 table spoon brine to taste and add reserved cooking water add needed to adjust consistency.

Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage Recipe – Giardiniera

In Italy, giardiniera refers to pickled vegetables that are typically eaten as an antipasto. But here in the US it’s most recognized as a
combination of pickled cauliflower, carrots, celery, and sweet and hot
Peppers that is served alongside
sandwiches or other lunch fare. Our favorite brand is Pastene. It includes a good mix of crunchy vegetables (some brands are mostly peppers) and boasts a “sharp, vinegary tang.”

Fusilli with Giardiniera and Sausage Recipe – Ingredients

Serves 4 – 6
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
2 onions
3 cups
giardiniera pickled vegetables
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 pound fusilli