WINTER SQUASH CARBONARA WITH PANCETTA AND SAGE

Winter Squash Carbonara with Pancetta and Sage image

Provided by Alison Roman

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta (Italian bacon), chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
1 2-pound kabocha or butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1/2" pieces (about 3 cups)
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 ounces fettucine or linguine
1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino, plus shaved for serving

Steps:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Add sage and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta and sage to a small bowl; set aside.
Add squash, onion, and garlic to skillet; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 8-10 minutes. Add broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is soft and liquid is reduced by half, 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then purée in a blender until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Reserve skillet.
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.
Combine pasta, squash purée, and 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid in reserved skillet and cook over medium heat, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Mix in 1/4 cup Pecorino; season with salt and pepper.
Serve pasta topped with reserved pancetta and sage, shaved Pecorino, and more pepper.
DO AHEAD: Squash purée can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.