Ricotta Cavatelli with Bacon and Zucchini
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 pound speck or lean slab bacon, sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into 1-inch strips
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1 1/2-by- 1/4-inch matchsticks
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 pounds fresh or frozen ricotta cavatelli or gnocchi
- 1 large tomato, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1/2 cup shredded basil
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet.
- Add the speck and cook over moderate heat until crisp, about 8 minutes.
- Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the speck fat.
- Add the zucchini; season with salt and pepper.
- Cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until barely softened, about 2 minutes.
- Return the speck to the skillet and remove from the heat.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the cavatelli until al dente.
- Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Add the cavatelli, reserved cooking water and tomato to the skillet.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss gently over moderate heat until heated through.
- Transfer the pasta to a large shallow bowl and toss with the basil and 1/3 cup of the Parmesan.
- Serve at once, passing additional Parmesan at the table.
extravirgin olive oil, speck, zucchini, salt, tomato, shredded basil, parmesan cheese
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/ricotta-cavatelli-bacon-and-zucchini (may not work)