Tired of serving the traditional Green Bean Casserole on Thanksgiving? Ready to freshen things up a bit? Pancetta Almond Green Beans will become your new Thanksgiving tradition for sure! Crispy pancetta bits, toasted almonds and sautéed shallots combine with fresh green beans for the perfect amount of crunch and flavor. Pancetta is Italian-style bacon….and anything with bacon is guaranteed to be fabulously delicious! And the green bean doesn’t get the credit it deserves for being super healthy like other more popular vegetables do. But the green bean is rich in beta-carotene, even though it is not orange. It’s concentrated chlorophyll content gives the bean it’s amazing bright green color so beta-carotene’s color doesn’t shine through….but it’s still there! Along with beta-carotene, green beans are rich in B vitamins, especially B6 and B2, have antioxidant capabilities and contain the absorbable mineral silicon which promotes bone health and healthy formation of connective tissue. Fresh green beans contain more of these benefits than canned or frozen so when you serve Pancetta Almond Green Beans….with fresh beans….you’re also serving up a dish of nutrition to your family! Happy Thanksgiving!
Pancetta Almond Green Beans
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 pkg. (4 oz.) chopped pancetta* OR 1 (4 oz.) piece of pancetta from the deli, chopped
3 large shallots, sliced, 1 cup
1/3 cup white wine OR chicken broth
2 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed, about 8 cups
1. Heat large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook almonds until toasted, stirring occasionally; set aside.
2. In same skillet cook pancetta until crispy, stirring occasionally. Using slotted spoon, remove pancetta bits and set aside, leaving pancetta fat drippings in skillet.
3. In same skillet cook shallots until just tender. Stir in wine and cook 1 minute.
4. Stir in green beans and cook until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Transfer beans to serving dish. Top with reserved almonds and pancetta.
Makes 7 cups.
*Chopped pancetta can be found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
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