It just so happens that last week at the market I stumbled upon an ingredient I’d never heard of.
As per usual, I got intensely interested. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about this strange green grass called “agretti” and figure out the perfect way to showcase it. I asked the farmer how she cooks it, I searched the internet for recipes (there are a few), and I did my own research.
Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about what agretti actually is.
Agretti is a rare Italian leafy green with a short harvesting season (late spring/early summer). It can be difficult to find, but your best bet is a farmer’s market or an Italian specialty store. In Italian, it’s also known as “Barba di frate” (which translates to “monk’s beard”) due to its thick but stringy texture. Eaten raw, agretti has a grassy and slightly acidic flavor. In Italian cuisine, it’s often tossed into salads or lightly cooked in olive oil.
What seemed to be the common factor among all my sources is that agretti shines when cooked just until softens and then tossed with a little lemon juice.
Since it was my first time cooking with the ingredient, I didn’t want to stray too far from recommendations. I know, how unlike me to follow directions.
And so what more perfect way to introduce an Italian ingredient than to pair it with pasta and fish?
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1½ pound wild salmon fillets, skin on
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 oz agretti, thick or yellow stems removed, then coarsely chopped
- zest and juice of ½ a medium sized lemon
- ½ cup Parmesan, grated
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain water and run pasta under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Season salmon filets with salt and pepper. Add salmon, skin side down, to pan and cook for about 6 minutes. Flip and cook on other side for 1-2 minutes longer, until salmon is cooked through. Transfer fish to plate and cover with foil while preparing agretti.
- In the same pan, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook until garlic becomes fragrant, about 3 minutes. Toss is agretti and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in lemon juice and zest. Add pasta to pan and mix well. Stir in Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve salmon over pasta.
Wow never heard of this! Looks a bit scary…but very cool! How was the taste of it?
writes Girl and the KitchenTastes delicious, especially when its cooked down a little and doused with some lemon juice!
writes Vicky[…] week it was agretti—this week: sorrel. Unlike agretti which I’d never even heard of before I laid eyes on […]
writes Trout with Sorrel Sauce - Things I Made Today