Utica Greens

source	Cook's Country
categories	side dish, italian
yield	Serves 6
prep time
total time

INGREDIENTS

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

4 oz thick-cut capicola, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (see note)

1 onion, chopped

¼ cup jarred sliced hot cherry peppers, chopped fine

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 ½ lbs escarole, chopped (see note)

½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. BROWN CAPICOLA Pulse bread and 1 tablespoon oil in food processor until coarsely ground. Toast bread crumbs in Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer crumbs to medium bowl; reserve. Wipe out pot with paper towels. Add remaining oil and capicola to now-empty pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until capicola begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in onion and cook until onion is softened and capicola is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Add cherry peppers and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2. COOK GREENS Stir in half of escarole, broth, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook until greens are beginning to wilt, about 1 minute. Add remaining escarole, cover, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until stems are tender, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in Pecorino Romano and 1/3 cup reserved bread crumbs. Transfer to serving dish and top with remaining bread crumbs. Serve.

NOTES

You'll need two large heads of escarole. You can use either hot or sweet capicola. Whichever you choose, buy a 1/2-inch-thick slice (or use prosciutto) at the deli counter; avoid the prepackaged thin slices, since you'll want hearty cubes of meat for this dish. Do not use canned bread crumbs here.

NUTRITION