Roman Style Puntarelle Chicory with Anchovy Sauce

Despite being native of Apulia, the puntarelle chicory are a typical dish of Roman cuisine.

If you pass by Campo dei Fiori market in Rome, take a look at how the greengrocer prepare them.

INGREDIENTS for 4 servings:

1 head of puntarelle (shoot chicory catalogna)
2 cloves garlic
6 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs vinegar
2-4 salted anchovy fillets, to taste
a pinch of salt to taste

Remove the dark green outer leaves and get the light – green crispy inner chicory. With a sharp knife cut each hollow stalk lengthwise into thin strips. Put these strips into a bowl of ice water; let them to soak for 2-3 hours until crispy and curly.

In a mortar with a pestle crush the garlic into a paste with a pinch of salt. Then add the anchovies, vinegar and crush again. At the end add the extra virgin olive oil and mix well to make a smooth dressing.