Cos- and Egg-Stuffed Tomatoes with Pancetta

Ingredients for Cos- and Egg-Stuffed Tomatoes with Pancetta

• 170g sliced pancetta (Italian unsmoked cured bacon), chopped

• 120ml plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 large head cos (about 1 1/2 lb)

• 1 large garlic clove

• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

• 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3/8 teaspoons black pepper

• 30g finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (120ml ), plus additional for serving

• 6 large tomatoes (about 3 inches in diameter)

• 6 large eggs at room temperature

How to make Cos- and Egg-Stuffed Tomatoes with Pancetta

Cook pancetta in 2 tablespoons oil in a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, 4 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in skillet.

Strip cos leaves from stems, reserving both separately, then tear leaves into roughly 2-inch pieces. Measure 4 loosely packed cups of leaves and reserve remainder. With motor running, add garlic to food processor to finely chop. Turn off and add the 4 cups cos leaves along with the parsley, 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoons pepper, and cheese, then pulse until finely chopped. With motor running, add remaining cup oil in a slow stream, blending until incorporated.

Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 204°C.

Cut off about 1/8 inch from top of each tomato with a sharp knife. Gently scrape out pulp and seeds with a spoon and discard them. Put tomatoes, cut sides up, in a 9-inch glass or ceramic dish and spoon 1 tablespoon cos-parsley pesto into each tomato (you will have extra pesto). Crack 1 egg into each tomato and season with salt and pepper. Bake eggs in tomatoes until whites are set and yolks are still runny, 18 to 22 minutes.

While eggs bake, heat fat in skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook remaining torn cos leaves and stems, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoons black pepper, turning and stirring with tongs, until leaves are wilted and stems are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in pancetta and divide mixture among 6 plates. Top each serving with a tomato and sprinkle with additional cheese.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.