Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Crunch and Flavor

In preparation for an upcoming food and wine pairing event, I found a recipe I had saved by Barefoot Contessa. A simple vegetable salad made with sugar snap peas, a savory champagne vinaigrette topped with the crunch of pancetta and shavings of parmesan – the perfect pairing with ham or pork loin or to be enjoyed on its own with a glass of wine (I chose K Vintner’s 2012 Viognier located in the Walla Walla Valley).

Snap Peas with Pancetta and Parmesan
courtesy of Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound pancetta, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt
• 1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 1/4 cup minced red onion
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Champagne or white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Place the pancetta slices on a baking rack set in a sheet pan and roast for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
3. Meanwhile, bring 2 to 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Fill a large bowl with ice water and have a sieve or colander ready in the sink. Put the snap peas into the boiling water for only 10 or 15 seconds, drain, and put immediately into the ice water. Cool completely and drain. Cut each snap pea in half lengthwise and place in a large bowl.
4. Place the snap peas in a large bowl and add the red onion.
   To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice. Pour enough vinaigrette on the snap peas to moisten. Crumble the pancetta over the salad and add 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Add the Parmesan and toss well.