baked zucchini with pancetta

zucchine al forno con pancetta

4 servings

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Ingredients

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onion (about 1 large)
2 slices white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
4 medium zucchini, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
4 slices flat pancetta or bacon (about 4 ounces), cut in half crosswise

Instructions

Heat oven to 375º.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a 9- x 14-inch baking dish and spread to make a bed for the zucchini.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine bread, cheese and rosemary. Pulse until bread is broken into crumbs and mixture is combined.

Put zucchini on top of onions in baking dish, cut-side up. Put 1 piece pancetta onto each zucchini piece, then sprinkle with bread mixture and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Bake until zucchini is tender, about 40 minutes. Serve warm.

October 2010