Thanksgiving Pancetta and Pear Peas Recipe
A flavorful and festive side dish featuring tender peas sautéed with savory pancetta, sweet pears, bright lemon, and fresh parsley. This Thanksgiving peas recipe combines a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy elements, elevated with Dijon mustard and crisp shallots for a perfect holiday accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pancetta and Shallots
- ½ pound pancetta, cut into small dice
- 3 medium shallots, halved and thinly sliced (about 1 cup thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Vegetables and Fruits
- 16 ounces frozen peas
- 1 pear, peeled, sliced, and small diced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 3 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
Herbs and Seasoning
- ½ cup roughly chopped parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the pear: Peel, slice, and dice the pear into small pieces. Place in a small bowl and stir with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook the pancetta: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until it turns golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove it from the pan and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat in the pan and discard the rest.
- Add the shallots: Add the sliced shallots to the rendered fat in the skillet and cook for about one minute until softened. Stir in the Dijon mustard to deglaze and flavor the pan.
- Add the peas and pears: Add the frozen peas and the prepared diced pears to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the peas are warmed through and the pears are slightly softened.
- Stir in pancetta and parsley: Turn off the heat. Stir in half of the cooked pancetta along with the chopped parsley and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix gently to combine all flavors evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the peas mixture to a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining crispy pancetta and garnish with fresh lemon zest for an added burst of citrus aroma and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute pancetta with bacon if pancetta is unavailable, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Use fresh peas if in season, adjusting the cooking time accordingly for tenderness.
- Adjust lemon juice and zest according to your preferred level of citrus brightness.
- For a vegetarian version, omit pancetta and increase the amount of parsley and lemon zest for freshness.
Keywords: Thanksgiving peas, pancetta peas, holiday side dish, peas with pancetta and pear, lemon peas, festive side dish
