FUSILLI WITH ARUGULA PESTO AND CRISPY PANCETTA

Fusilli with Arugula Pesto and Crispy Pancetta image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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1/4 pound thinly sliced pancetta
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound adult arugula, large stems removed
1/2 pound basil leaves
1 pound whole wheat fusilli
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as desired
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup grated Pecorino-Romano, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons European style (high-fat) butter

Steps:

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice water bath. Stir the arugula into the boiling water and cook until it is bright green and tender, about 15 seconds. Remove the arugula directly to the ice bath and let cool completely, then drain, gently squeeze out the excess water and set aside. Do the same for the basil. Once the arugula and basil are blanched, cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente.
Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the arugula and basil to a food processor and blend until mostly pureed, about 30 seconds. Add oil, pine nuts, garlic and salt and pepper and puree for another 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the cheese and pulse, drizzling more oil as desired, until combined but not fully pureed, another 30 seconds. (See Cook's Note.)
Place the pesto and butter in a large bowl and add drained pasta to the bowl, reserving some pasta water to thin the sauce as desired. Mix the pesto and pasta, season to taste and crumble the slices of crispy pancetta on top. Serve with extra grated Pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil.