Recipe for Pasta with Blistered Cauliflower, Walnuts, Pecorino, and Mint
Movie Quotes.
In the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral, Scarlett, the sassy best friend and roommate to Hugh Grant’s Charlie, arrives at the first wedding in vibrant orange dress with a grape-purple sash. When the boisterous, larger-than-life Gareth sees her after the wedding, he quips, “Scarlet, what a fabulous dress! The ecclesiastical purple and the pagan orange symbolizing the magical symbiosis in marriage between the heathen and Christian traditions?” She looks up at him, cocks her head, and responds, “That’s right.”
Nope. None of that has to do with food, but it’s one of my favorite movie quotes. And the quote goes well with the photos, right?
The recipe for Pasta with Blistered Cauliflower, Walnuts, Pecorino, and Mint is straight from The New York Times without a single change or note. (Okay, a few minor tweaks… I can’t help myself.) It was featured in an article about quick pasta dishes for which the sauce can be made while the pasta cooks. And quick it is! The recipe calls for broccoli or cauliflower, and I chose this gorgeous purple cauliflower because it was fresh at the farmers market, it’s incredibly sweet, and the color is stunning.
~ David
Pasta with Blistered Cauliflower, Walnuts, Pecorino, and Mint
1head cauliflowerflorets cut small and stalks peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1lemonzested then quartered
1/2cupgrated Pecorino Romanoplus more for serving
1cuppacked fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring, until golden and fragrant, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer walnuts to a small bowl. Season walnuts with a little salt and pepper.
Add the cauliflower and chile flakes to the skillet and toss to coat in the oil. Shake the skillet so cauliflower settles in an even layer. Cook, undisturbed, 2 minutes. Toss and shake to arrange in an even layer again and cook, undisturbed, another 2 to 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
Drain pasta and add to the skillet along with the lemon zest, cheese, toasted walnuts, and half the mint; toss to combine. Divide among plates or bowls and top with remaining mint, more cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon on top.
Wow! Saturday night here with my favourite architectural show on TV – but when I saw your ‘headline’ the latter was turned off 🙂 ! A beautiful cheesy, nutty cauliflower with a basketful of mint! David, when you read the recipe, it has is basically simple but oh does it promise flavour. Remember the film if not the quote and wish we always had the sexy purple cauliflower available!
Perfect recipe for a light, healthy meal! I will definitely try purple cauliflower if I ever see it available. No doubt the recipe is delicious regardless of the color of the cauliflower though. The one you used was gorgeous!
Eha Carr
June 20, 2026 at 4:10 amWow! Saturday night here with my favourite architectural show on TV – but when I saw your ‘headline’ the latter was turned off 🙂 ! A beautiful cheesy, nutty cauliflower with a basketful of mint! David, when you read the recipe, it has is basically simple but oh does it promise flavour. Remember the film if not the quote and wish we always had the sexy purple cauliflower available!
David Scott Allen
June 20, 2026 at 6:40 amIt is a really lovely combination of flavors in one pasta. And the purple of the cauliflower is so beautiful.
Mimi Rippee
June 20, 2026 at 5:37 amWhat a delightful pasta! The cauliflower is beautiful. I need to watch that movie again…
David Scott Allen
June 20, 2026 at 6:39 amIt’s a fun movie. Naturally, I had to watch the whole thing just to get the right line…
Mad Dog
June 20, 2026 at 5:53 amThat looks like a perfect summer recipe!
David Scott Allen
June 20, 2026 at 6:39 amIt is, indeed! And it tastes as good as it looks.
angiesrecipes
June 20, 2026 at 7:07 amLooks like a very satisfying and delicious meal! Wish my stomach agree with all the plants..
David Scott Allen
June 20, 2026 at 7:29 amI wish that, too, Angie! I completely understand.
Barb
June 20, 2026 at 7:13 amPerfect recipe for a light, healthy meal! I will definitely try purple cauliflower if I ever see it available. No doubt the recipe is delicious regardless of the color of the cauliflower though. The one you used was gorgeous!
David Scott Allen
June 20, 2026 at 7:30 amI don’t know if it’s true or just my imagination, but I think purple cauliflower and purple broccoli taste sweeter! I hope you can find some, Barb!
Kate Jensen
June 20, 2026 at 7:56 amThe quote sounds like something Mark would say!
David Scott Allen
June 20, 2026 at 8:30 amHaha — well, you aren’t wrong, Kate!