Orrechiette with Caramelized Onions, Green Beans, Fresh Corn and Jalapeno

By Scott Conant, compliments of finecooking.com

 

Kosher salt                                                       1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups thinly sliced sweet onion                         1 lb. dried orecchiette or farfalle
   (from 1 large onion)                                       1/2 lb. fresh green beans, washed, trimmed,

1 cup fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears)          and sliced into 1-inch lengths
1 jalapeño, stemmed, halved lengthwise,            Freshly ground black pepper

   seeded, and thinly sliced crosswise                 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano
1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

 

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is beginning to soften and brown, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is very soft and a light golden brown, about 15 more minutes (if the onion begins to look like it’s burning, add 2 Tbs. warm water and lower the heat).

Put the pasta in the boiling water and cook until just shy of al dente. Add the green beans to the pasta water in the last minute of cooking.

While the pasta is cooking, add the corn, jalapeño, and a pinch of salt to the onions and cook until the corn kernels begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta and green bean cooking water and drain the pasta and green beans together in a colander.

Return the pasta, green beans, and 2 Tbs. of the reserved water to the pot. Add the onion mixture and toss over medium heat until the green beans are crisp-tender and the pasta is perfectly al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more of the pasta water as necessary to keep the dish moist. Season to taste with salt and pepper and top each serving with the pecorino and parsley.