Pasta Salad with Pears, Bacon, and Walnuts

17/11/2023

The pasta salad with pears, bacon, and walnuts is a tasty dish that combines sweet and savory flavors for a truly surprising result. This recipe can be a great main course or an original appetizer.

Ingredients

320 g of short pasta (for example, farfalle or fusilli)
2 mature but firm pears
150 g of diced pancetta
80 g of shelled walnuts
100 g of soft goat cheese or slice of blue cheese (like sweet gorgonzola)
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Chives (optional)

Preparation

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and ensure it remains firm. Let it cool.
In the meantime, lightly toast the walnuts in a non-stick pan until they become golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. After toasting the walnuts, chop them coarsely.
Use the same pan to fry the diced pancetta until it becomes crispy. After cooking, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to remove the excess fat.
Wash the pears and cut them into cubes, leaving or removing the skin according to your preference.
In a large bowl, gently mix the cold pasta, pear cubes, crispy pancetta, and chopped walnuts.
Crumble the chosen cheese (whether it’s soft goat or a blue cheese like gorgonzola) over the salad.
Dress the salad with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. If you wish, add chopped chives for a touch of freshness and herby flavor.
Gently mix everything together to not damage the pear cubes and serve the pasta salad at room temperature or chilled, as you prefer.

Curiosity

The combination of pears and blue cheeses is a classic in Italian cuisine, particularly in appetizers or cold dishes. The sweetness of the pear contrasts perfectly with the intense and slightly spicy flavor of cheeses like gorgonzola. Adding crunchy ingredients like bacon and walnuts makes the experience even more enjoyable and satisfying.