Big Island Wild Pig With Cavatelli Recipe

Name: Big Island Wild Pig With Cavatelli
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons fennel seeds; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar; 1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper; 1 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt) or wild boar, excess fat trimmed; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 3 cups low-salt chicken broth; 12 ounces cavatelli, campanelle, or tubular pasta (such as penne); 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter; 2 garlic cloves, peeled, pressed; 2 cups diced plum tomatoes (preferably organic; about 14 ounces); 8 cups (packed) arugula (preferably organic; about 8 ounces); 1 1/4 cups coarsely crumbled soft fresh goat cheese (about 6 ounces), divided; Ingredient info: Smoked paprika is sometimes labeled Pimenton dulce or Pimenton de la vera dulce. It's available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from latienda.com. Wild boar is…

Servings: persons

2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt) or wild boar, excess fat trimmed
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups low-salt chicken broth
12 ounces cavatelli, campanelle, or tubular pasta (such as penne)
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
2 garlic cloves, peeled, pressed
2 cups diced plum tomatoes (preferably organic; about 14 ounces)
8 cups (packed) arugula (preferably organic; about 8 ounces)
1 1/4 cups coarsely crumbled soft fresh goat cheese (about 6 ounces), divided
Ingredient info: Smoked paprika is sometimes labeled Pimenton dulce or Pimenton de la vera dulce. It's available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from latienda.com. Wild boar is available from preferredmeats.com.

1
Preheat oven to 375u00b0. Enclose fennel seeds in resealable plastic bag; using mallet, coarsely crack seeds. (Alternatively, crack seeds in mortar with pestle.) Mix seeds, smoked paprika, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in small bowl to blend. Place pork on sheet of foil. Sprinkle spice mixture all over pork and roll pork on foil sheet, pressing firmly so spices will adhere.
2
Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add pork to pot and sear until brown on all sides, 8 to 9 minutes. Add 3 cups broth and any seasoning mixture remaining on sheet of foil; bring to boil. Cover pot tightly and transfer to oven. Braise until pork is very tender, turning pork every 30 minutes, about 2 hours total. Remove pot from oven. Uncover pot and cool pork in pot 1 hour.
3
Transfer pork to cutting board. Cut pork into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes. Spoon off fat from top of sauce in pot. Return pork cubes to sauce in pot. DO AHEAD:
4
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Set aside.
5
Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and arugula and toss until arugula wilts, 2 to 3 minutes. Add drained pasta to tomato mixture in skillet and toss 1 minute to blend. Add 1 cup crumbled goat cheese to skillet and toss just until cheese softens slightly but does not melt, about 1 minute. Season pasta to taste with salt and black pepper. Transfer pasta to large bowl. Spoon pork and sauce over. Scatter remaining 1/4 cup goat cheese over and serve.

1465

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

126

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar, 1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper, and more.

Yes, Big Island Wild Pig With Cavatelli falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Big Island Wild Pig With Cavatelli

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions