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Thanksgiving Peas Recipe

Thanksgiving Peas Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 15 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful side dish perfect for Thanksgiving, combining sweet peas, tender pancetta, and fresh pears with a bright lemon and mustard dressing that balances savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • ½ pound pancetta, cut into small dice
  • 3 medium shallots, halved and thinly sliced (about 1 cup thinly sliced)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 16 ounces frozen peas
  • 1 pear, peeled, sliced, and small diced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 3 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
  • ½ cup roughly chopped parsley
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the pear: Peel, slice, and dice the pear into small pieces. Place it in a small bowl and stir with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside to marinate.
  2. Cook the pancetta: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the diced pancetta. Cook until it’s golden brown and crisp. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off some of the rendered fat, leaving about 3 tablespoons in the pan for cooking shallots.
  3. Add the shallots: Add the thinly sliced shallots to the pancetta fat in the pan. Cook for about one minute until softened, stirring frequently. Then stir in the Dijon mustard to coat the shallots evenly.
  4. Add the peas and pears: Add the frozen peas and the lemon-marinated pear pieces to the pan. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, until the peas are heated through and the pears are slightly warmed.
  5. Stir in pancetta and parsley: Turn off the heat. Mix in half of the cooked pancetta along with the chopped parsley and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine everything evenly.
  6. Serve: Transfer the peas mixture to a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining pancetta and garnish with lemon zest for a fresh, bright finish. Serve warm as a festive Thanksgiving side dish.

Notes

  • Use fresh frozen peas for the best texture and flavor.
  • If pancetta is unavailable, use good quality bacon as a substitute.
  • Adjust black pepper to taste depending on your preference.
  • The lemon juice both brightens the dish and helps prevent the pear from browning.
  • This dish can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving side dish, peas recipe, pancetta recipe, easy holiday recipes, savory peas with pancetta and pear

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/thanksgiving-peas-recipe/