Broccoli Rabe & Provolone Grinders

By ltrodrigu

Ingredients

• For White Bean Purée:
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans with liquid
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground blsck pepper
• For Sandwiches:
• 4 bunches broccoli rabe (rapini, 4–5 pounds), ends trimmed
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil, divided, plus more
• 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 8 6–8-inch long French rolls, split lengthwise
• 8 ounces thinly sliced provolone piccante or other aged provolone cheese
• 1 Fresno chile or red jalapeño, seeded, very thinly sliced

Details

Adapted from bonappetit.com

Preparation

Step 1

To Make White Bean Purée:
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, until garlic begins to turn golden, about 4 minutes. Add beans with liquid. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring often, until liquid thickens, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a food processor; add 3 tablespoons oil. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

To Make Sandwiches:
Cook broccoli rabe, 1 bunch at a time, in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes (return to a boil between batches). Transfer broccoli rabe to a baking sheet; let cool. Squeeze dry; coarsely chop.

Heat a large pot over medium heat; add 1/4 cup oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, until garlic is fragrant and beginning to turn golden, 2–3 minutes. Add broccoli rabe; cook, stirring often, until stem pieces are just tender, 4–5 minutes. Add remaining 1/4 cup oil and 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and more juice, if desired. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made one day ahead. Cover and chill.

Arrange racks in top and bottom thirds of oven; preheat to 400°. Open rolls and arrange on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle generously with oil. Spread bean purée on one side of each roll; add broccoli rabe. Top with cheese, then chile. Toast, rotating pans after 5 minutes, until cheese is melted, 7–10 minutes. Top, slice, and serve.