Serves 6
210 min
White Beans with Salt Pork
Recipe GLPR5b1644237d49de
Tender white beans cooked with salt pork, garlic, and fresh rosemary, then finished with a silky tomato and herb mixture. Served warm over toasted bread, this rustic Italian-inspired dish celebrates simple, quality ingredients with deep, savory flavors.
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Ingredients
2 cups dried cannellini beans, picked over and rinsed
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ pound salt pork, rind removed
1 sprig fresh rosemary
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
¼ pound prosciutto, cut into ¼-inch pieces
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 canned plum tomatoes, drained, seeded, and finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
6 slices (½ inch thick) crusty country bread, such as ciabatta, toasted
Directions
Place the picked and rinsed dried cannellini beans in a large pot and cover with water. Stir in the baking soda and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let soak for 1 hour.
Drain the beans and add fresh water to cover them by about 2 inches. Cut the salt pork into small pieces, add to the pot with the rosemary sprig, and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 1 to 1½ hours, until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally and adding more water if needed to keep the beans covered.
While the beans are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 8 minutes.
Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the prosciutto pieces and cook for 2 minutes, then add the chopped tomatoes and fresh parsley.
Simmer the tomato-herb mixture in the skillet for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring gently, until the flavors blend and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
When the beans are tender, remove the rosemary sprig and salt pork from the pot. Stir the tomato-herb mixture into the beans and gently combine over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Place a slice of toasted country bread in each serving bowl and ladle the warm white beans and sauce over the top. Drizzle lightly with additional olive oil and serve immediately.
