Ingredients
  • 2 bundles (about 1 pound) broccolini
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cream
  • Salt and fine black pepper or white pepper
  • Nutmeg, freshly grated to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon)
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 pound linguine or whole wheat or farro linguine
  • Toasted panko or homemade breadcrumbs
Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
 
Cut fatter broccolini stems lengthwise then cut thin florets and stalks in half across. Salt boiling water and add broccolini; cook 2-3 minutes to tender-crisp then remove with a spider to cool—keep water at a low boil for the pasta. Chop in half or thirds.


Heat oil, 2 turns of the pan, in a large skillet over medium-heat. Add broccolini to hot olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss with garlic. Add cream and nutmeg, and simmer to reduce over medium-high heat.
 
Turn the heat up under the pasta pot then cook pasta to al dente.
 
Turn off heat on broccolini once cream is reduced by half and stir in 1 cup cheese, a few fat handfuls. Toss linguine with cream, broccolini and remaining cheese. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over pasta to serve.