Bucatini with Confit Cherry Tomatoes and Crispy Pancetta
Category: Pasta Dishes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bucatini | 400g |
| Smoked Pancetta | 200g |
| Fine Salt | 1 pinch |
| Black Pepper | to taste |
| Cherry Tomatoes | 500g |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 40g |
| Garlic | 2 cloves |
| Thyme | 8 sprigs |
| Sugar | 2 tsp |
| Dried Oregano | 2g |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Cherry Tomatoes:
Start by washing the cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Dry them gently with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Slice each tomato in half. Arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, cut side facing up. -
-
Season and Bake the Tomatoes:
Sprinkle the tomatoes with a pinch of fine salt and black pepper. Add finely chopped garlic and thyme on top of each tomato, followed by a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle dried oregano evenly over the tomatoes. -
Confit the Tomatoes:
Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Bake the tomatoes for about 1 hour, or until they are soft, sweet, and slightly caramelized. Once done, remove from the oven and transfer to a bowl. -
Prepare the Pancetta:
While the tomatoes are baking, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook it until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the skillet and set aside. -
Cook the Bucatini:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the bucatini pasta and cook according to the package instructions, about 9-11 minutes, or until al dente. -
Combine the Ingredients:
Once the pasta is ready, drain it, reserving a little pasta water. In the same large skillet where you cooked the pancetta, add the confit cherry tomatoes and toss them gently to warm them up. -
Finish the Dish:
Add the cooked bucatini to the skillet with the tomatoes. Stir everything together, adding a small ladle of the reserved pasta water if the mixture seems dry. Once the pasta is well-coated in the tomato sauce, fold in the crispy pancetta and give everything a final toss. -
Serve:
Serve the bucatini warm, garnished with extra black pepper if desired. Enjoy this flavorful, comforting pasta dish with the rich, sweet taste of confit tomatoes and crispy pancetta.
This dish brings together the rich, smoky flavors of pancetta with the delicate sweetness of oven-roasted tomatoes, making it a perfect dish for a cozy meal with family or friends!
