Charred Romanesco with Anchovies and Mint

A flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring charred Romanesco cauliflower florets cooked with a aromatic soffritto, anchovies, and white wine, finished with fresh mint. This elegant side dish combines deeply caramelized vegetables with bright, bold flavors.

6 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1 stalk celery
  • 4 whole Fresno chiles or jalapeños
  • to taste Kosher salt
  • 3 pounds Romanesco or regular cauliflower
  • 4 fillets anchovy fillets
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • to taste black pepper
  • ½ cup mint leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 1/2 cup oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and chiles; season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very soft but not brown, 12-15 minutes. Let soffritto cool.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat oven to 450°F. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of Romanesco and cook, undisturbed, until deeply browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a roasting pan; repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and remaining Romanesco. Add soffritto, anchovies, and wine to roasting pan; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Roast, tossing halfway through, until Romanesco is soft and liquid is mostly evaporated, 25-30 minutes; season with salt and pepper and top with mint.

    30 min