Talk about easy side dishes for Thanksgiving – this Peas and Pancetta situation couldn’t be easier or more delicious!! IN FACT – at my friendsgiving dinner, one of my favorite people declared it her favorite thing on the entire menu. So bring it on Peas and Pancetta!
This Peas and Pancetta dish is embarrassingly easy. So easy that you could absolutely send this to someone in your family and ask them to whip it up if you needed a helping hand. No shame in that game. Cook off the pancetta and then set aside and do your very best not to eat it all. Leaving the rendered fat from the pancetta, cook off some shallots, red pepper flakes and frozen peas. Add the pancetta back in, top it off with some lemon zest, and done. Easy right? You could make it a few hours ahead of time and then just leave it hanging in the skillet and re-heat it for a minute or two before serving. Peas and Pancetta with Lemon – done and done.
PS – are you thinking of putting this on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full What’s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!
Peas and Pancetta
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound pancetta cut into small dice
- 3 shallots halved and thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound fresh peas or frozen peas that you've let thaw
- 1 lemon zested
Instructions
- If using fresh peas, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Blanch the peas for 3-4 minutes and remove. If using frozen peas, skip this first step.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown and the fat has rendered. Remove the pancetta to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add the shallots and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook until soft. Add the peas and cook until warmed through. Transfer to a large bowl and top with the crisp pancetta and lemon zest.
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Prop Styling by Gena Sigala // Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
This looks fantastic! These flavors are the best!!
We are going to love this!!!
How many does this yeild?
Serves 6!
These look soooo yummy, and even better, easy! Love that pop of lemon zest. I don’t think I’ll make them for Thanksgiving – we already have too much going on! But I’m bookmarking for a later date.
Loving the simple flavors of this dish – so full of awesomeness!
These look so tasty, or even much better, very easy! I don’t think I’ll make them for Thanksgiving…. We currently have way too much taking place! Yet I’m bookmarking for a later day.
Do you think this could be made the day before and reheated?
Yes!! Or you could crisp the pancetta the day before and then re-heat it day of with the peas in a medium skillet!
I made these for Thanksgiving and they went over great. I doubled the recipe after I saw in the comments that it only serves six, including doubling the red pepper flakes. It was a little spicy for some of my family but my brothers and dad loved it! They’re big on spicy food. So when I asked my mom if she wanted me to bring anything for Christmas, my brother jumped right in and said, “Bring those peas you made for Thanksgiving.” I think I’ll only put in 1 1/2 the amount of red pepper flakes. That should still be plenty spicy I think. If not, they can just add their Slap Your Mama spice. Haha.
LOVE THIS!! Merry Christmas!
Just making it to this recipe. Looks delish. I bet this would pair well with the butternut squash pasta? On the side or on top!
Loved this recipe. The lemon is a nice touch.
What’s the best way to thaw the frozen peas?
i just blanch them when cooking them to bring them to temp
Can this be made the day before?
it can – reheat in a non stick over medium low heat to re-warm