Orecchiette with White Beans, Rapini and Pancetta

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Makes

4 servings

Orecchiette with White Beans, Rapini and Pancetta

The Italians name this pasta shape after the cute little ears of a pig: orecchiette. If you can't find these little shell shapes, penne or rotini are a good substitute. Rapini is a slightly bitter vegetable that is softened by the starchy beans and pasta. Florets, leaves and stems are all edible. Just trim the stem ends. (Broccoli is a good substitute if you can't find it.)

Ingredients

  • 375 g orecchiette , penne or rotini
  • 250 g rapini , sliced into 1-in. pieces
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves , chopped
  • 125 g pancetta , or side bacon, chopped
  • 1 540-mL can white kidney beans , romano beans or navy beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups home-cooked)
  • 1 tsp hot-pepper flakes
  • 1 3/4 cups canned plum tomatoes , chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
  • salt , to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper , to taste
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Instructions

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, adding rapini during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Before draining pasta, reserve 1/2 cup (125 mL) pasta cooking water.
  • In a large frying pan on medium high, heat oil, add garlic and pancetta, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until pancetta is crispy. Drain off and discard fat. In a blender, combine reserved pasta water with 1/2 cup (125 mL) of beans, and blend until smooth. Add pureed beans, remaining whole beans, red pepper flakes, tomatoes and parsley to the pan.
  • Bring sauce to a boil, then simmer for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add drained pasta and rapini to the sauce, heat through and serve, sprinkled with Parmesan.

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