Artichokes, Fresh Favas & Potatoes
- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
- 3 pounds fresh fava-bean pods, shelled
- 1 lemon for acidulated water
- 6 medium artichokes (about 3 pounds)
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces pancetta, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 small onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon peperoncino flakes, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 large saucepans; a heavy-bottomed skillet or saute pan, 12-inch diameter or larger, with a cover
- Put the potatoes in a pot with water to cover them by about 2 inches, and bring to a boil.
- Cook just until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork or sharp knife blade (dont let them get mushy), then drain and let them cool.
- Peel off the skin, and cut the potatoes crosswise into round slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
- To prepare the favas: Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in another saucepan, drop in the shelled favas, and blanch about 2 minutes, until they turn bright green.
- Drain the beans, and drop them right away into a large bowl of ice water.
- When chilled, drain the favas again; peel off (and discard) the inner skins.
- You should have about 2 cups peeled favas.
- To prepare the artichokes: Fill a large bowl with a couple of quarts of cold water, and squeeze in the juice of the lemon, dropping in the cut lemon halves, too.
- Snap off the thick outside artichoke leaves; cut off the top third of the remaining leaf tips, and trim the stem tip.
- Peel the globe of the artichoke, removing the stubs of the plucked leaves and the skin covering the stem, to expose the lighter-colored tender flesh.
- Slice the artichoke in half lengthwise, and scrape out the choke (if present) with a paring knife or the edge of a teaspoon.
- Slice the artichoke halves into 1-inch-thick wedges, and drop them into the bowl of acidulated water.
- Pour 4 tablespoons of the olive oil into the big skillet, set it over medium heat, and scatter in the pancetta pieces.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, as they render fat, then stir in the onion slices, sprinkle in the peperoncino, and cook another 4 minutes or so, until the onions are sizzling and wilting.
- Drain the artichoke wedges and spread them in the pan; stir and toss gently to coat them with oil.
- Cover the skillet, and cook for about 15 minutes, until the artichokes are tender, stirring now and then.
- Spread the sliced potato rounds in the pan, scatter the favas on top, and turn them over with a stiff spatula, mixing them with the hot vegetables.
- Cover and cook for 10 minutes or so, stirring and turning the vegetables over gently so the potatoes dont break apart too much.
- If theyre sticking to the bottom of the skillet, loosen with a few tablespoons of water, scrape them up, and turn them over.
- If theres liquid in the pan, remove the cover and cook it away over slightly higher heat.
- When the potatoes start to brown, sprinkle on the salt, and drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil all over.
- Cook, uncovered, for another 5 to 10 minutes, occasionally lifting and tumbling the vegetables over with the spatula.
- As you do, scrape up the crusty glaze that forms on the skillet bottom, and turn it with the vegetables, to incorporate the crustiness throughout.
- When everything is golden and lightly crusted, turn off the heat.
- Serve the ciaudedda family-style while still hot, right from the skillet.
russet potatoes, favabean pods, lemon, artichokes, extravirgin olive oil, pancetta, onions, peperoncino flakes, kosher salt, saucepans
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/artichokes-fresh-favas-potatoes-372362 (may not work)