Lattuga Brasata con Pancetta alla Piemontese
Piedmont — Cuneo e Langhe
Piedmont's unexpected braised lettuce preparation — whole hearts of romaine lettuce braised in butter with pancetta tesa, shallots, and white wine until completely wilted and caramelised. The transformation of raw lettuce (a salad ingredient) into a complex braised vegetable represents an ancient Italian culinary tradition that has largely disappeared. The lettuce's water evaporates completely during braising, concentrating its sugars into a caramelised sweetness that pairs with the pancetta's salt and smoke.