Vegetarian Heaven! (Fresh Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Fried Chickpeas)

Great deals at the market on broccoli di rape and chickpeas...

Sage in the garden...

A desire for pasta.

I drained and rinsed a large can of chickpeas.  I fried them in EVOO until they started to brown...

Then I drained them again and set them aside.  I sautéed 1 bunch of broccoli rabe, trimmed, adding 5 cloves of garlic, minced, and a few sage leaves, chopped, until they all started to soften...

Next I added 1/2C dry white wine and let it all simmer...

I made a batch of orecchiette and cooked them until 3/4 done.  I added the pasta to the broccoli rabe mixture, along with some reserved pasta water, and allowed the pasta to finish cooking.

Just before serving, I added a large handful of Parmigiano!

This was a remarkably hearty meal but it proved, once again, that meat need not be included... even if you want a "meaty" meal!

 

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