Description
Thanksgiving Peas with Pear and Pancetta is a beloved holiday side dish featuring a delightful mix of tender frozen peas, crispy pancetta, and sweet diced pears, all brightened with lemon juice and a touch of Dijon mustard. This simple yet elegant recipe combines savory and sweet flavors with fresh parsley and a hint of black pepper, making it a festive and easy-to-make addition to your Thanksgiving table.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- ½ pound pancetta, cut into small dice
- 3 medium shallots, halved and thinly sliced (about 1 cup thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 16 ounces frozen peas
- 1 pear, peeled, sliced, and diced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 3 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
- ½ cup roughly chopped parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the pear: Peel, slice, and dice the pear into small pieces. Toss the diced pear with lemon juice in a small bowl to prevent browning and set aside.
- Cook the pancetta: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave about 3 tablespoons of rendered fat in the pan and drain off the rest.
- Add the shallots: Add the sliced shallots to the skillet with the pancetta fat and cook for about 1 minute until softened. Stir in the Dijon mustard until well combined.
- Add the peas and pears: Add the frozen peas and the lemon-coated diced pears to the skillet. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, until the peas are warmed through but still tender.
- Stir in pancetta and parsley: Turn off the heat. Stir in half of the reserved pancetta, the chopped parsley, and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Transfer the peas mixture to a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining crispy pancetta and garnish with lemon zest for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Using pre-diced pancetta can save preparation time; two 4-ounce packages work well for this recipe.
- This recipe serves approximately 6 people, but you can easily double the quantities and use a larger pan for holiday gatherings.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil or in the microwave.
- Leftovers make a great side dish or can be enjoyed for breakfast mixed with scrambled eggs or topped with a fried or poached egg.