Pasta with Ceci

Ingredients

1 rounded cup dried ceci (chickpeas)
1 quart chicken stock
2 cups water
2 onions, 1 halved and 1 peeled and chopped
1 large bay leaf
1/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus some for drizzling
1/4 pound pancetta, speck or guanciale, diced
2 to 3 ribs celery, diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons rosemary, chopped

2 tablespoons thyme, chopped
4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced or chopped
1 small chili pepper, finely chopped or 1 scant teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
1 pound mezze rigatoni or mezze penne (Buon Italia), ditalini or other short cut pasta
1 rounded tablespoon tomato paste, optional
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Yields: 4-6

Preparation

Soak beans in water 4 hours or overnight. Rinse beans and place in pot, cover with stock and water; add the halved onion and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat a bit and simmer at a rapid bubble for 35-40 minutes until tender. Remove bay and onion, and purée half the beans and half their stock.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with EVOO, 4 turns of the pan. Add chopped pancetta and render 2-3 minutes then add the chopped onions, celery, carrots, rosemary, thyme, garlic, chili pepper and season with salt and pepper. Cook vegetables partially covered to soften, about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. When water is boiling, salt it, drop the pasta and cook to al dente.

While the pasta is working, stir in tomato paste to vegetables until fragrant, if using. Deglaze the pan with white wine. Add bean purée and whole beans with stock; stir to combine.

Reserve 1/2 cup starchy cooking water, add to sauce. Drain pasta and toss with sauce and parsley, cheese.

Serve in shallow bowls topped with a drizzle of EVOO. Pass more cheese at table.