I haven't made this Babbo recipe, but I liked the sound of it quite a bit for it takes the parsnip out of the side dish column and plops it smack in the middle of the entree. Should be delicious seasoned with the pancetta, though I'd probably double the quantity of the pancetta for even more flavor.
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1/4 lb sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 lb parsnips, peeled, quartered lengthwise, cored, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
8 oz dried egg fettuccine or taglierini
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Accompaniment: grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Cook pancetta in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer pancetta with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Reduce heat to moderate, then add butter to fat remaining in skillet and, when foam subsides, cook parsnips, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from heat.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 2 cups pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta.
Add pasta and 1 1/2 cups reserved cooking water to parsnips. Stir in pancetta and parsley and toss over moderately high heat 1 minute, adding more pasta-cooking water if necessary for sauce to lightly coat pasta. Season with salt and pepper.
