Fresh Pea, Fava Bean & Pancetta Pasta

Fresh fava beans are a bit of extra work because they must be shelled twice, but with this technique it takes just an extra minute and the fresh results are well worth it. Starting with a cold pan and cold pancetta better renders the fat for this fresh and flavorful springtime dinner.

By / Photography By | March 19, 2019

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. fava beans, in pods
  • 1 lb. dried orecchiette
  • 2 lbs. fresh peas, in pods
  • 2 lbs. pancetta, chopped
  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup butter (½ stick), divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Garnish
  • ½ cup shredded Pecorino
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to boil. Shell the fava beans and discard the pods. Add the fava beans to the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove fava beans with a slotted spoon or sieve, reserving water. When cool enough to touch, remove the pale green membrane on the outside of each bean.

2. Bring water to boil again. Add orecchiette and cook according to package directions until al dente. Strain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Set aside.

3. Shell the fresh peas. Place peas in a bowl and discard the pods.

4. Place chopped pancetta in a large cold skillet on stove. Turn heat to low. As fat renders in pan, increase heat to medium and then high. Stir pancetta until crisp and then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Add sliced onions to drippings in skillet. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Cook over low heat until onions are soft and caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and vinegar and stir for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

6. Add fava beans, peas and remaining butter to the skillet with onions. Turn heat to high and stir to combine.

7. Add pasta and pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, and stir until well coated. You may not use all the pasta water.

8. Stir in pancetta and red pepper flakes, if desired. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.

9. Serve hot with shredded Pecorino and fresh herbs.

Related Stories & Recipes

Just Add Salt

Cooking Classes, Recipes & Custom Events in the SF Bay Area

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. fava beans, in pods
  • 1 lb. dried orecchiette
  • 2 lbs. fresh peas, in pods
  • 2 lbs. pancetta, chopped
  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup butter (½ stick), divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Garnish
  • ½ cup shredded Pecorino
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram