Pasta Salad With Melon, Pancetta, And Ricotta Salata

• 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

1. Heat oven to 350u0b0F. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

pancetta, orecchiette, kosher salt, extravirgin olive oil, vinegar, fresh mint, scallion, red pepper, freshly ground black pepper, ricotta salata

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pasta-salad-with-melon-pancetta-and-ricotta-salata-51108220 (may not work)