My New Favorite Pasta

As many of you know, I love to cook but I sometimes find it a challenge to come up with recipes that will appeal to my whole family...Grace in particular.  However this is a definite winner....if you like the classic combo of melon and prosciutto, you will love this recipe.  Perfect with a glass of rose bubbles!

Enjoy.

xo,

Amy

Pasta Salad with Melon, Pancetta, and Ricotta Salata

4 servings

•    active: 30 minutes

•    total: 30 minutes

Recipe by Soa Davies

Photograph by Romulo Yanes

Bon Appetit, August 2012

            


Ingredients

•    2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta (Italian bacon)

•    4 ounces orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta)

•    Kosher salt

•    3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

•    2 1/2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar

•    2 cups 1x1x1/4" pieces peeled melon (any variety)

•    1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint, divided

•    3 tablespoons thinly sliced scallion

•    Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

•    Freshly ground black pepper

•    1 ounce ricotta salata (salted dry ricotta), shaved, or crumbled feta

Preparation

            ~ Heat oven to 350°. Arrange pancetta in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake    until brown and crisp, 20–25 minutes. (Alternatively, place pancetta on folded layers of paper towels on a microwave-proof plate and microwave on high until brown and crisp, about 5 minutes.) Let pancetta stand until cool enough to handle, then break into bite-size pieces.

            ~ Meanwhile, cook pasta in a medium pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta; run under cold water to cool. Drain and set aside.

            ~ Whisk oil and vinegar in a large bowl. Add half of pancetta, cooked pasta, melon, half of mint, scallion, and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle remaining pancetta and mint over. Garnish with shaved ricotta salata

Nutritional information


One serving contains:

•    Calories (kcal) 320

•    Fat (g) 20

•    Saturated Fat (g) 5

•    Cholesterol (mg) 15

•    Carbohydrates (g) 29

•    Dietary Fiber (g) 2

•    Total Sugars (g) 7

•    Protein (g) 8

•    Sodium (mg) 320