Penne Alla Vodka

Directions

1. Using a box grater, grate the onion into a fine pulp, set it aside.

2. In a large, non stick frying pan, heat the oil and saute the pancetta on medium heat until crisp and the fat is rendered, approx 5 minutes. Add the onions and cook down with pancetta for approx 5 minutes. Deglaze with the vodka, and let it cook down until syrupy, another 5 minutes. Take care if you’re working on a gas stove, the vodka will flambe for a few seconds until the alcohol cooks out. This is normal.

3. Stir in the passata and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

    

4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to packaging instructions. Reserve a 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.

5. Remove the sauce from the heat, stir in the cream and put it back on low heat to simmer for another minute. Add the drained pasta, if the sauce is too thick loosen with a splash of pasta water.

Serve with a generous grating of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.