Ingredients

The following ingredients have 2 Servings
  • 1 head cauliflower
  •  2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 minced garlic cloves (divided)
  •  salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoons chili flakes
  • lemon zest from one lemon (divided)
  • 4-6 ounces pasta (bucatini, linguini, spaghetti or any other gluten-free noodle)
  • 1 cup fresh chopped  Italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
  • 1 fresh garlic clove- very finely minced
  • A generous drizzle of olive oil to coat,
  • salt, pepper and chili flakes -to taste
  • finely grated pecorino– optional but good
  • 2 tablespoons capers– optional, but good!

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 425 F
  • Trim and cut cauliflower into small bite-sized florets and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil to coat, sprinkle with salt and pepper, 1/2 of the lemon zest, 2/3 rds of the minced garlic and some chili flakes.  Toss well and spread out in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan, and place into the middle of the hot oven. Roast until tender and golden and caramelized in places,  about 20-25 minutes.
  •  While the cauliflower is roasting, cook the pasta in 2 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon salt. When done, drain, and reserve 1 cup pasta water, and place pasta in a bowl.
  • Drizzle pasta generously with olive oil to coat the noodles, then add the remaining finely minced garlic (raw), the chopped parsley, remaining lemon zest, crushed toasted walnuts, capers and when cauliflower is done, add it to the bowl and toss. If it feels dry, add a little hot pasta water. Sprinkle with pecorino and chili flakes.
  • adjust salt and pepper and add more if necessary. If it tastes bland, it probably needs a little more salt. 😉
  • Divide among 2-3 bowls.