RecipePork
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flamePorkVegetarian30–60 mins
Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale
Cook45 minutes
Serves6
Method
Steps
- Make the meaty chickpeas: Heat large sauté pan — if yours is ovenproof, you can even use it as your final baking vessel — over medium-high heat. Coat with a couple tablespoons of olive oil, and heat oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add ground sausage, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, lots of freshly ground black pepper, oregano, and pepper flakes and cook, breaking up the sausage with your spoon into bite-sized pieces and browning them, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomatoes (beware the splatter) and chickpeas and bring mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to keep it at a simmer. Taste for seasoning; I usually add another 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond brand) and more black pepper here.
- Simmer the chickpeas in the sauce for 10 minutes, or if you have more time, simmering them for 20 to 25 minutes softens them in a lovely way. If the mixture looks too thick, add 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup at a time, until you get a thick but saucy consistency. Add kale and let it cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. If you’re preparing the dish for later, or skipping the cheese on top, this is a great place to pause the recipe. You could even freeze it at this point.
- To finish: Heat your oven’s broiler. If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer chickpea mixture to a baking dish. Scatter the top with both cheeses and broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots. Eat right away.
- Do ahead: See notes within the recipe about where to pause. You can reheat the chickpeas in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes; I usually keep the lid on.
Originally published at smittenkitchen.com. Reproduced for personal collection.
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