This recipe rocked my world, plain and simple. I wanted to make out with it, in all its gooey yummy glory. Egg pasta is showcased at its absolute best here, and one of my very favorite ingredients – chestnuts – are highlighted in a way that elevates every bite. This dish begs for red wine. It whispers sweet nothings of elegance and earthiness in your ears. It romances and nurtures, suggests slipping into something more comfortable. Make it at home for a special night in, and tell me if it doesn’t lead to something special. (As of now, anyway, making out with dinner dates is less frowned-upon than making out with pasta. It’s a judgmental world, what can I say?)
Egg Pasta with Chestnuts, Pancetta, and Sage
Adapted from Gourmet Today
Ingredients
- 3 ounces pancetta (Italian unsmoked bacon), chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
- 1/2 lb bottled peeled cooked whole chestnuts, coarsely crumbled (about 1.5 cups)
- 1/2 lb dried egg tagliatelle or egg fettucine
- Salt
- 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsely
Directions:
- Cook pancetta in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and 1 tablespoon sage and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Stir in chestnuts and remove from heat.
- Cook pasta in an 8-quart pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt) until al dente. Reserve 1.5 cups cooking water and drain pasta.
- Add pasta to pancetta mixture in a skillet, then add 1 cup reserved cooking water, cheese, and butter and cook, tossing constantly, over high heat until pasta is well-coated (add more reserved water if necessary), about 1 minute.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with parsley and remaining tablespoon sage. Serve immediately.
