Cavatelli With Pork Ragu

By mirelsonp

Recipe source: Bon Appetit - Dec 2013
A low, steady simmer is the key to this braise, so keep an eye on the pot.
Do Ahead: Pork can be cooked (do not shred) 2 days ahead. Let cool in braising liquid; cover and chill.

Ingredients

• 1 1 1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1 1/2" pieces
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 sprig oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 pound cavatelli or other small shell pasta
• 1/3 cup dried currants soaked in 1/2 cup hot water (optional)
• 1 bunch Tuscan kale, ribs and stems removed, torn into 2" pieces
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook meat, turning occasionally, until browned, 10–15 minutes; transfer to a large plate.

Drain all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot. Reduce heat to medium and cook onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Tie rosemary, oregano, and bay leaf into a bundle with kitchen twine; add to pot along with pork, tomatoes, wine, peppercorns, nutmeg, and cloves. Add water just to cover meat and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, adding more water as needed, until meat is very tender, 1–1 1/2 hours.

Discard herb bundle. Using 2 forks, shred meat in pot; cook, uncovered, over medium heat until sauce is thickened, 8–10 minutes.

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Add currants, if using, and kale to ragù; cook until kale is soft, about 4 minutes. Add pasta; cook, adding reserved pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta. Mix in butter and 1/2 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Serve pasta drizzled with oil and topped with more Parmesan.