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Insalata di rinforzo
Cauliflower and pickle salad
Insalata di rinforzo: Naples's Christmas cauliflower salad with pickled peppers, olives and anchovies
Insalata di rinforzo, the "reinforcement salad", is on every Neapolitan table from Christmas Eve to New Year. It is made in a big bowl and "reinforced" each day with more vegetables and pickles as it is eaten: boiled cauliflower, pickled peppers (papaccelle), giardiniera, black olives, capers and anchovies, dressed with olive oil and vinegar. It is served alongside the fried fish of the Vigilia. Chef's tip: boil the cauliflower until just tender, still with a little crunch; it soaks up the dressing better and won't fall apart over the days.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflowerin florets
- 1 tsp saltplus extra for the water
- 5 ½ oz pickled red peppersin strips
- 2 ⅞ oz black olives
- 2 tbsp capersrinsed
- 6 anchovy fillets in oilchopped
- 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsleychopped
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Cook 1 medium cauliflower in salted boiling water for 6–8 minutes, until just tender but still a little firm. Drain and cool. Common mistake: overcooking; soft cauliflower turns mushy in the dressing.
8 minStep 2: Put the cauliflower in a large bowl with 5 ½ oz pickled red peppers, 5 ½ oz pickled mixed vegetables (giardiniera), 2 ⅞ oz black olives, 2 tbsp capers and 6 anchovy fillets in oil.
Step 3: Whisk 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar and 1 tsp salt and pour over. Toss gently and scatter with 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley.
Step 4: Leave for at least 1 hour before serving. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, adding more pickles as you go.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does insalata di rinforzo take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of medium cauliflower?
- Broccoli, same weight.
- What can I use instead of pickled red peppers?
- Any colour of bell pepper, same amount.
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Perfect for:Christmas