This rigatoni pasta recipe with shallots and guanciale relies on a standard dish from Emilia-Romagna, the place they domesticate candy Romagna shallots. It is simple to make, extraordinarily tasty and, in fact you need to use different sorts of shallots too!
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Rigatoni con scalogno di Romagna é guanciale.
One of many many issues I like about Italy is that each Italian area is well-known for the cultivation, manufacturing and processing of sure meals. Some merchandise or crops are specific to just one or two areas (suppose Gorgonzola cheese). Others are grown or produced largely solely within the South (tomatoes) or the North (risotto rice). Just a few could be discovered all through virtually all of the Italian peninsula (olive oil).
Meals from Emilia-Romagna.
The Emilia-Romagna area produces fairly a lot of well-loved meals. Most Italian meals lovers will know Parmiggiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar from Modena or Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham).
However, this area can also be well-known for greens comparable to asparagus, garlic and shallots. The latter referred to as Scalogno di Romagna (Romagna shallots) are a sort of shallot that’s grown in solely 3 areas in Emilia-Romagna; within the provinces of Bologna, Forli and Ravenna.
Extra about Romagna Shallots.
The Scalogno di Romagna is a pear-shaped shallot that’s mentioned to have originated in Palestine. Nonetheless, shallots have been cultivated in Italy for five,000 years. Apparently the traditional Romans appreciated them! The Romagna shallot is a purplish white colour. However, it’s wrapped in an exterior pores and skin of various colours,from copper to reddish brown.
The style of those shallots is unquestionably specific, stronger and extra aromatic than that of an onion and sweeter than garlic. This makes it very versatile on a gastronomic degree. The truth is, it’s used loads within the regional delicacies and infrequently included in pasta recipes like this rigatoni pasta with shallots and guanciale (pork cheek/jowl).
The Pasta.
For this shallot pasta recipe, I used dried rigatoni. Rigatoni is a sort of pasta tube with grooves or ridges that run down the size of every tube. The truth is, the title rigatoni comes from the Italian ‘rigate’ which means ridged, grooved or lined. It is a fashionable pasta all through Italy, however significantly in Sicily and in Rome.
Nonetheless, it’s also possible to use different pasta varieties with this shallot based mostly sauce. In Emilia-Romagna, yow will discover pasta with shallots made with garganelli or flat egg pastas like tagliolini, referred to as curzul within the native dialect, or tagliatelle, one other well-known Emilia-Romagna meals product.
Rigatoni Pasta with Romagna shallots.
There are a number of completely different variations of pasta with Romagna shallots. Some embrace tomatoes (canned tomatoes or recent), particularly if made with out meat. The truth is, the only model is made with simply pasta, Romagna shallots and tomatoes!
Different variations might embrace pancetta or guanciale with or with out tomatoes. I used tomatoes and guanciale. Guanciale is cured pork jowl or cheek and is the star ingredient of a lot of traditional pasta recipes comparable to carbonara, alla gricia and amatriciana. After all, you need to use pancetta as an alternative. A gentle Italian sausage would additionally work nicely on this recipe.
What’s the distinction between guanciale and pancetta?
Chances are you’ll ask what’s the distinction between pancetta and guanciale. Firstly, value and availability. Pancetta is often simpler to seek out and prices much less (even right here in Italy). However, each are unsmoked cured pork. Pancetta comes from the stomach and guanciale from the jowl or cheek.
Guanciale positively has a stronger style than pancetta. Nonetheless, it’s softer and extra delicate and the fats typically melts away giving extra flavour to the dish. Having mentioned that, pancetta is scrumptious too and higher if you need crispy items in your dish!
Making this Rigatoni pasta with shallots.
Though this dish is historically made with Romagna shallots, you need to use different sorts of shallots. Search for candy ones. I wouldn’t suggest onions although!
Other than the shallots, tomatoes, and guanciale (pork cheek/jowl) or pancetta all you want is a few additional virgin olive oil, white wine, tomato focus (tomato paste), grated Parmigiano (parmesan cheese) and, in fact, the pasta!
Step-by-step directions.
1) Put together the components; peel and thinly slice the shallots, lower the guanciale into skinny quick strips and wash the cherry tomatoes and halve them.
2) Sauté the shallots and guanciale in a bit olive oil over a medium warmth till the shallots soften and the guanciale fats begins to soften and brown barely.
3) Add the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate. Then add the tomato focus and a bit water. Combine every thing collectively.
4) Add the cherry tomatoes. Prepare dinner lined over a low warmth for about 20 minutes.
5) Whereas the sauce is cooking, put a big pot of water onto boil for the rigatoni. Add salt as soon as it begins to boil and convey to the boil once more. Prepare dinner the rigatoni al dente in accordance with the directions on the bundle.
6) Save a number of the pasta water and drain the pasta. Add it to the shallot sauce. Combine every thing collectively over a low warmth. If the sauce appears dry, add a number of the pasta cooking water.
7) Serve your rigatoni pasta with shallots instantly with grated Parmigiano and, optionally, some crushed pink pepper flakes (peperoncino) if you would like to spice it up a bit.
What to do with leftovers.
You may preserve any leftover rigatoni with shallots in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Leftovers are scrumptious baked with a sprinkling of extra parmesan cheese on prime. You too can reheat the pasta and shallot sauce within the microwave. I do not suggest freezing this dish.
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A fast and simple rigatoni recipe.
It is a fast, simple and scrumptious recipe that may be made in virtually the time it takes to boil the water and prepare dinner your pasta. Excellent for busy weeknights and if you don’t wish to spend a lot time within the kitchen!
Like many different easy Italian pasta recipes, rigatoni pasta with shallots and guanciale is extremely tasty regardless of the few components. I’m certain you’ll agree when you attempt it!
When you make this pasta with shallots recipe, I’d love to listen to the way it seems and if you happen to appreciated it. So, please go away a remark right here on the weblog or on The Pasta Undertaking Fb web page.
Wanting ahead to listening to from you!
Buon appetito!
Another pasta dishes from Emilia-Romagna
- Tagliatelle Bolognese
- Lasagne al forno with Bolognese
- Garganelli alla Zingara
- Baked Passatelli with pancetta and pine nuts
- Gramigna with sausage
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