Roasted Cauliflower With Pancetta, Olives and Crisp Parmesan

Name: Roasted Cauliflower With Pancetta, Olives and Crisp Parmesan
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 main-dish servings or 4 side-dish servings
Ingredients: 1 large head cauliflower (about 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed and cut into bite-size florets (about 8 cups); 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed; 1/3 cup olives, crushed, pitted and chopped; 1 fat garlic clove, finely grated or minced; 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste; 1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more as needed; 4 ounces pancetta or bacon, cut into 1/8-inch cubes; 3/4 teaspoon cumin or caraway seeds; 1/2 cup shredded (not ground) Parmesan; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or mint leaves and tender stems, for serving

By Melissa Clark

Published Oct. 9, 2020

Roasted Cauliflower With Pancetta, Olives and Crisp Parmesan — Johnny Miller for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.

Total Time: 45 minutes
Rating: 4(5,484)
Comments: Read comments

Studded with salty olives, pancetta and Parmesan that gets golden and crisp at the edges, this is roasted cauliflower at its brightest and most full-flavored. You can serve the caramelized florets either as a vegetable-based main dish or a hearty side to roasted meats or fish, or big bowls of pasta. The recipe calls for using a package of finely diced pancetta that practically melts into the sauce. But if you prefer a chunkier texture, you can dice it yourself into ½-inch cubes, and add them with the cauliflower. Or, to make this vegetarian, just leave the pancetta out.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 main-dish servings or 4 side-dish servings

1large head cauliflower (about 1¾ pounds), trimmed and cut into bite-size florets (about 8 cups)
½cup extra-virgin olive oil
½teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
⅓cup olives, crushed, pitted and chopped
1fat garlic clove, finely grated or minced
1½tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
⅛teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more as needed
4ounces pancetta or bacon, cut into ⅛-inch cubes
¾teaspoon cumin or caraway seeds
½cup shredded (not ground) Parmesan
¼cup chopped fresh parsley or mint leaves and tender stems, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with ¼ cup olive oil and ½ teaspoon salt until well coated. Roast for 15 minutes.
Step 2
In a small bowl, whisk together olives, garlic, lemon juice, ⅛ teaspoon red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt. Drizzle in the remaining ¼ cup olive oil, whisking well.
Step 3
After the cauliflower has roasted for 15 minutes, add pancetta and cumin seeds to pan and gently mix to combine. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes, until cauliflower is tender, the pancetta rendered, and cheese is golden brown and crunchy.
Step 4
Spoon olive dressing all over roasted cauliflower while still hot and toss to combine. Taste, and add more salt, red-pepper flakes or lemon juice, if needed. Scatter parsley over the top before serving.

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