This Italian-Style Fried Farro is a hearty, flavor-packed dish that’s easy to cozy up to this fall!

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Italian-Style Fried Farro: Your Ultimate Fall Comfort Dish

As the vibrant colors of summer fade and the crisp autumn air settles in, my culinary preferences naturally shift. While warmer months often call for lighter, refreshing meals, fall ushers in a desire for dishes that are more substantial and deeply satisfying. I find myself gravitating towards recipes that offer warmth, comfort, and a wholesome feel—meals that truly “stick to your bones” and provide a nourishing embrace against the cooler weather.

Do you find yourself making a similar transition? If so, you’re in for a treat, because when it comes to healthy yet hearty ingredients, farro consistently captures my heart. It’s truly one of my favorite grains to incorporate into our family’s menu, offering a versatility and depth that few others can match.

Discover the Magic of Farro: A Wholesome Grain for Health-Conscious Diners

If you’re yet to embark on the culinary journey with farro, I wholeheartedly urge you to give it a try. This ancient grain is a revelation, especially if you’re looking for wholesome options to keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals, curbing those mid-day snacking temptations. Farro is not just delicious; it’s a nutritional powerhouse. This healthy, whole grain boasts a delightful, slightly nutty flavor and a wonderfully chewy texture that holds up beautifully in a variety of dishes.

Beyond its appealing taste and texture, farro is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which is crucial for digestive health and maintaining stable blood sugar levels. It’s also rich in iron, an essential mineral vital for energy and blood production. What’s more, farro is naturally cholesterol-free, making it a truly heart-healthy choice for anyone conscious about their cardiovascular well-being. Incorporating farro into your diet is a simple yet effective way to boost your intake of vital nutrients while enjoying truly satisfying meals.

The Inspiration Behind This Irresistible Italian Delight

My journey to creating this particular Italian-Style Fried Farro began with a delightful package arriving on my doorstep. I was thrilled to receive a copy of the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 17th Edition, a wonderful gift from my friends at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Flipping through its pages, brimming with countless recipes, one dish immediately caught my eye: this very Italian-Style Fried Farro. Given my love for hearty fall meals and my existing admiration for farro, I knew instantly that this recipe was destined to become a staple in our autumn culinary lineup. It promised to be exactly the kind of warming, comforting, and nutrient-rich dish we craved as the seasons changed.

Italian-Style Fried Farro: Versatility on Your Plate

This Italian-Style Fried Farro stands out as a hot dish that offers incredible versatility. Whether you envision it as a robust side dish complementing a main course or as the star of the show itself, serving as a flavorful main meal, the choice is entirely yours. Its adaptability makes it perfect for various occasions, from a cozy weeknight dinner to a more elaborate gathering. What truly elevates this dish is its harmonious blend of ingredients, creating a winning combination of textures and flavors.

A Symphony of Flavors: Key Ingredients That Make This Dish Shine

Cooked Farro: The foundation of our dish, providing a delightful chewy texture and nutty undertones.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts: Another one of my absolute favorite vegetables! When lightly cooked, they offer a tender-crisp bite and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
Red Onion: Adds a subtle pungency and sweetness that mellows beautifully during cooking.
Garlic: Essential for infusing the dish with its aromatic and savory depth.
Prosciutto: Thinly sliced, this Italian dry-cured ham introduces a wonderful salty, savory, and slightly crispy element.
Walnuts: Chopped walnuts provide a fantastic textural contrast and a rich, earthy note that complements the other ingredients.

Essential Tips for Crafting the Perfect Fried Farro

To ensure your Italian-Style Fried Farro turns out perfectly every time, here are a few invaluable cook’s notes and tips:

Preparing Your Farro: The Foundation of Flavor

The success of this dish largely hinges on perfectly cooked farro. While some might opt for quick-cooking varieties, traditional pearled farro offers the best texture. To cook your farro, combine 3 cups of water with 1 ¼ cups of farro in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and let it simmer for approximately 25 minutes. Cook until the farro is tender yet still retains a pleasant chewiness. If any excess water remains, simply drain it away before adding the farro to your skillet. For enhanced flavor, you can also cook farro in vegetable or chicken broth instead of water.

Brussels Sprouts: Shaved or Sliced?

The recipe calls for shaved Brussels sprouts, which cook quickly and integrate seamlessly into the dish. I often grab a pre-bagged pack of shaved Brussels sprouts from my local market for convenience. However, if these aren’t available, don’t fret! Simply purchase whole Brussels sprouts, wash them thoroughly, trim the ends, and then use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to cut them into very thin slices. This ensures they cook evenly and become crisp-tender.

Mastering the Balsamic Drizzle

The balsamic vinegar is a crucial element, adding a bright, tangy finish that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. The recipe suggests 2 tablespoons, but balsamic preferences can vary greatly. Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking. A high-quality balsamic vinegar will make a noticeable difference in the overall flavor profile. Drizzle it generously just before serving for the best impact.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Italian-Style Fried Farro

The beauty of this dish lies not only in its robust flavor but also in its remarkable simplicity. It’s primarily cooked in a single skillet, making for easy preparation and minimal cleanup. You’ll start by heating some olive oil, then adding the vibrant Brussels sprouts and aromatic red onion. These are cooked until they reach a perfect crisp-tender consistency, ensuring they retain some bite while softening beautifully. Next, the savory prosciutto, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant minced garlic are introduced, creating a delightful aroma and deepening the flavor profile.

Once these key components have melded together, the star of the dish—the cooked farro—is added to the skillet along with a touch more olive oil. Everything is then tossed and heated through, allowing the farro to absorb all the wonderful flavors. The final flourish involves a generous drizzle of tangy balsamic vinegar, a sprinkle of salty shredded Parmesan cheese, and a scattering of fresh, aromatic chopped basil. A crack of fresh black pepper completes this easy yet elegant meal.

Why This Dish Is a Weeknight Winner and Meal Prep Dream

Seriously, dishes don’t get much easier than this, folks! This Italian-Style Fried Farro is one of those culinary gems that can effortlessly be whipped up on a busy Monday evening. And the best part? It yields fantastic leftovers. Imagine having a delicious, nutritious lunch ready for the next few days, packed with wholesome ingredients and incredible flavor. That is, of course, if there’s any left after dinner! It’s perfect for meal prepping, ensuring you have healthy and satisfying options throughout the week. Enjoy every single bite!

Explore More Farro Adventures: Beyond Fried Farro

If this Italian-Style Fried Farro sparks your interest in adding more of this incredible grain to your repertoire, I highly recommend exploring other farro-centric recipes. Farro is incredibly versatile and can be used in everything from breakfast bowls to hearty baked dishes. For a delightful morning start, try my Farro Breakfast Bowl with Caramelized Peaches and Cinnamon Cashew Cream, a sweet and satisfying option. Or, for another comforting and robust meal, my Baked Farro, Butternut Squash, Kale and Pancetta offers a wonderful blend of seasonal vegetables and savory flavors. Each recipe showcases a different facet of farro’s potential, proving just how adaptable and delicious this ancient grain can be.

Italian-Style Fried Farro

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 4 servings

This Italian-Style Fried Farro is a hearty, flavor-packed dish that’s easy to cozy up to this fall!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 10-oz. package shaved Brussels sprouts
1/2 cup red onion, coarsely chopped
3 oz. prosciutto, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups farro, cooked
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
fresh cracked black pepper

Instructions

In a large skillet or an extra-large wok, heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and the red onion. Cook until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add prosciutto, chopped walnuts, and garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
Add farro and the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil. Cook until heated through, about 3-4 more minutes.
To serve, drizzle mixture with balsamic and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and cracked pepper.

Nutrition

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

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Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, 17th Edition