Recipe: asparagus with pancetta

When spring arrives, you soon see green asparagus emerging, from the fields and eventually onto the plate. In Italian cuisine, preparing green asparagus is simple, often grilled or sautéed in a pan with some oil. They are also added to risotto (asparagus risotto), in a pasta or with an omelet ( )frittata di asparagi).

These grilled asparagus wrapped in pancetta are a delicious side dish and look very festive too. Not much is needed: after briefly blanching the asparagus, wrap them in the pancetta and they can go straight into the grill pan.

Green asparagus is therefore easy to cook with. Unlike white asparagus, you usually don't need to peel them, and they cook faster. This makes them a great vegetable for weekdays when you don't have much time to cook.

Because the asparagus wrapped in pancetta looks appealing, you can also serve them as a starter when you have guests over for dinner. Or serve them with a boiled, fried, or poached egg for a delicious, light lunch.  

Green asparagus is not only delicious but also contains plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A good choice, therefore, for anyone looking for a light, healthy, and easy side dish. Buon appetito!

Ingredients for the asparagus with pancetta

Side dish for 4 people

• 350 grams of green asparagus
• 80 grams of pancetta (slices)
• olive oil
• salt

Preparation of the asparagus with pancetta

1. Bring a large pan of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
2. Cut off the woody end of each green asparagus (this is the hard, often somewhat purple part at the bottom that remains tough after cooking). You do not need to peel green asparagus.
3. Cook the asparagus in the salted water for about 2 to 3 minutes. They should still be slightly firm. Then drain them and rinse them briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Afterwards, let them drain well in a colander.
4. Take 2 or 3 asparagus spears at a time (depending on the thickness) and lay them neatly side by side. Wrap a slice of pancetta around each one. Make sure the pancetta is tight enough to hold them together.
5. Lightly grease a grill pan with a little olive oil and place it over medium heat. Let it get very hot.
6. Carefully place the rolls in the grill pan. Cook them for about 4 minutes, turning regularly so that all sides brown nicely and the pancetta is slightly crispy.