Best Nonnas Infamous Stuffed Chokes Recipes

BROILED CHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil setting. Cut the top 1/4 off the choke and snap off the outer leaves until you reach pale green, soft leaves. Using a spoon, remove the hairy choke from the center and discard. Immediately plunge in acidulated water to avoid discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Drain the artichokes and spin to dry. Toss in a bowl with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Lay the chokes out on a sheet pan lined with foil and place on the lower rack of the oven, and broil for 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the artichokes and return to the oven for 3 minutes. Eat as they are or marinate in herb oil for up to 2 days.
• Herb oil: In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile, and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight. Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container. Yield: 2 cups

BROILED CHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil setting.
• Cut the top 1/4 off the choke and snap off the outer leaves until you reach pale green, soft leaves. Using a spoon, remove the hairy choke from the center and discard. Immediately plunge in acidulated water to avoid discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Drain the artichokes and spin to dry. Toss in a bowl with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Lay the chokes out on a sheet pan lined with foil and place on the lower rack of the oven, and broil for 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the artichokes and return to the oven for 3 minutes. Eat as they are or marinate in herb oil for up to 2 days.
• In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile, and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight.
• Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container.
• Yield: 2 cups

LASAGNA NONNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the butternut squash in half and spoon out the seeds. Place on baking sheet cut-side down. Add some water and bake until a knife slides through the skin and squash easily. Cool and then spoon the flesh from the shell. Set aside for later use.
• Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
• Place the ricotta, cream, garlic, shallots, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes in a medium-size mixing bowl. Whisk to combine until there are no lumps.
• Mince up the sage and add to the ricotta mix. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Whisk until blended and set aside for later use.
• Take 1 cup of the marinara and evenly coat bottom of each pan. Next lay a sheet of pasta down in each. Spread some of the ricotta mixture on each sheet and top with 3 cups of baby spinach.
• Add another sheet of pasta, then some more ricotta and spread half of the butternut squash, mashing up any larger pieces, over each lasagna.
• Then add another layer of pasta on each. Top with the remaining ricotta mixture and 3 cups of baby spinach on each. Add the last layer of pasta and pour the remaining marinara on top. Finish with the Parmesan and then the mozzarella.
• Wrap each with parchment paper and then aluminum foil. Bake until cooked through, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool, then cut and serve.