Broccoli Rabe (aka Rapini)

Today's veggie choice ended up being broccoli rabe (aka rapini).  Apparently, despite picking up at the third pickup time, all of the spinach, mixed greens and rhubarb were already taken.  So, I did a little research:

Rapini is a member of the Brassiceae family of which turnips also belong.  It is known as broccoli rabe because of the head of flowers which looks like broccoli, however, it is not related to broccoli. 

I also received merguez sausage, a lamb sausage, in this share which was completely thawed when I got it home, so I wanted to make something with the sausage as well as the rapini. In the extra share that I received this week (due to my vacation last week), I also received ramps.  Here's how I put them together:

Macaroni with Merguez, Rapini and Ramps

• 1 lb merguez sausage*, casings removed
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 (8-oz) pkg whole wheat pasta (I used macaroni)
• 1 bunch rapini*
• 1 bunch ramps*
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• salt & pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan or romano

In a deep frying pan, heat oil over high heat.  Reduce heat and add sausages, breaking into small pieces during cooking.  Cook sausage through; set aside.

Cook pasta in a large Dutch oven according to package directions.  Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water; set aside.

Remove woody ends of rapini and then cut into 2-inch pieces.  Wash ramps and cut into 2-inch pieces.  Heat water and oil over med-high heat.  Add ramps and rapini to pan, mix well, cover and cook until wilted.  Add sausage to pan and season with salt and pepper.  Mix sausage mixture into pasta until well combined; add cooking water as needed.  Serve 1 1/2 cups and sprinkle with grated cheese.

*CSA ingredients