Broccoli Rabe, Sausage & Scamorza Affumicata Crostini

What's good about the crostini is that you can put whatever topping you want and create a whole range of appetizers.  Since the combination of sausages (salsicce) and broccoli rabe (or broccoletti, as they call it in Rome) is a favorite at home, these crostini always disappear fast from our table.

I pulled out some leftovers of cooked broccoli rabe, some salsicce (sausages) and a big piece of scamorza affumicata (smoked scamorza cheese) to prepare these.  Normally, I would just cut the sausages in half, lengthwise, for each bread but since I didn't have so much, I took them out of their casings, crumbled them and mixed them with the broccoli rabe.   The blending is still good as ever and the added flavor of scamorza affumicata made it more delectable.  Four thumbs up for this recipe. 

Broccoli Rabe, Sausage & Scamorza Affumicata Crostini

Ingredients:
Serves 4

• 400 g. broccoli rabe, chopped
• 4 sausages, taken out from casings & crumbled
• 1 chili, deseeded & chopped finely
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 4 - 6 fillets salted  anchovies soaked in olive oil
• scamorza affumicata (smoked scamorza), or any other cheese
• extra virgin olive oil
• 8 slices of bread 

1. Saute' garlic & chili in a saucepan with extra virgin olive oil.  Add anchovies when garlic changes color. 
2. When anchovies blend with the oil, add the broccoli rabe.  Saute' over low-medium fire for about 20 minutes.  
3. Discard garlic.   There's no need to salt the vegetables because the anchovies should already provide the saltiness.
4. Meantime, in another non-stick saucepan, cook the crumbled sausages without oil.  The fat should seep out while cooking.  When they are already toasted well, mix with the broccoli rabe and cook together for about 10 minutes.
5. Another option would be to leave the sausages in the casings, just cut them in half lengthwise.  Brown both sides.
6. Grill both sides of the slices of bread.  Put a slice of scamorza affumicata on one side and grill again until it melts.  Put the broccoli rabe & sausages.   Drizzle with good extra virgin olive oil on top.  Serve warm.

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