An unusual pasta topping yes, but the flavors of the spring produce mixed with the Pecorino cheese, the roasted garlic and the cubed pancetta is utterly divine. Radishes have a natural peppery flavor that works well against salty pancetta and the bitter flavor of the escarole. Wilted in a touch of white wine, the pasta’s sauce comes together very quickly! (Anytime I have the urge to add in cloves or sweet roasted garlic, I succumb to that urge. That could be said for my love of Pecorino cheese as well…) A healthy bowl of pasta that I like to serve with fusilli, but any of your favorite short pasta varieties will do just fine.
(To view this recipe, click on the blue title of the blog post above*)
Pasta with Radishes, Roasted Garlic, Escarole & Pancetta
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fusilli pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cups radishes, sliced
- 4 oz. cubed pancetta
- 1 head escarole, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 head of garlic, roasted
- Pecorino cheese, grated for serving
Directions:
- In a Dutch oven, combine the oil and butter and heat over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add in the pancetta and radishes and cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes or until the pancetta is crispy. Add in the escarole and season the dish with ½ teaspoon salt and a grinding of black pepper. Saute until the greens are wilted; add in the white wine and reduce the heat to low. Cook for an additional 5 minutes; adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve the sauce over the pasta along with roasted garlic cloves added in, along with a grating of Pecorino cheese.
Tagged: cubed pancetta, escarole, fussili, pancetta, pasta, pecorino cheese, radishes, roasted garlic, white wine
I’m loving how you are highlighting seasonal stuff right now like rhubarb and radishes! Been inspiring 🙂
So glad you are enjoying the recipes Lexie! Every once and a while I still see fresh rhubarb in the stores, but I find the frozen variety is a nice alternative to keep around… Hope y’all are doing well!