Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

["Recipe Credit:\u00a0Four Seasons Pasta<\/a>\u00a0(Chronicle Books<\/a>, 2004) by Janet Fletcher. Reprinted with permission from the publisher.<\/em>","Recipe Credit:\u00a0

Ingredients

1 ½ to 2 pounds broccoli rabe
1 pound orecchiette or spaghetti
6 tablespoons California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, minced
Pinch of hot pepper flakes
6 to 8 ounces hot Italian sausage, preferably with fennel seed
Salt
Freshly grated aged pecorino cheese (optional)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. To trim the broccoli rabe, remove any stems that feel tough. (The thick stems are usually more tender than the thin ones.) Trim the ends of any stems that look dry, then slit any stems that are thicker than a pencil so they cook more quickly. Add the broccoli rabe to the boiling water and cook until the stems are just tender, about 3 minutes Using tongs, transfer the broccoli rabe to a sieve and cool quickly under cold running water. (Keep the cooking water at a boil.) Drain well, then squeeze gently to remove excess water. Chop coarsely.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, put the California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and hot pepper flakes in a large skillet. Remove the sausage from its casting if necessary and add it to the cold skillet. Warm over moderately low heat, breaking up the sausage with a fork, and cook just until the sausage loses most of its pinkness. Add the broccoli rabe and season with salt to taste. Stir to coat with the seasonings and reheat gently.
Set aside 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and return it to the warm pot over low heat. Add the sauce and toss well, moistening with some of the reserved pasta water as needed. Divide among warm bowls and serve immediately. Pass the cheese at the table for those who want it.