Penne with Caramelized Onions and Broccoli

Directions

• Raisin Preparation – Hydrate the golden raisins by soaking them in 1 cup hot water for about 15 minutes; subsequently, drain the water.
• Onion Caramelization – Melt half of the butter (4 tablespoons) in a skillet over medium heat. Introduce the sliced onion with 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper and stir occasionally until caramelized, roughly 20-25 minutes.
• Broccoli Cooking – In the same skillet, place the remaining butter, add broccoli florets, season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until tender, adding about ¾ cup water gradually as needed, taking around 20 minutes.
• Pasta Cooking – Boil a pot of water, season heavily with salt, and cook penne until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve about 1½ cups of pasta water for mixing, then drain the pasta.
• Ingredients Mixing – Combine the cooked penne, caramelized onions, cooked broccoli, and all remaining ingredients (parsley, Parmesan, pine nuts, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, red pepper flakes) in the skillet. Gradually pour in the reserved pasta water to achieve a silky texture. Stir consistently for 1-2 minutes until everything is well mixed. Optionally, add more Parmesan cheese for garnishing.