Rabbit Ragù

A rich Italian-style ragù made with tender rabbit meat, pancetta, aromatic herbs, and vegetables slowly simmered in wine and tomatoes. Perfect served over buttered polenta.

6 servings
35 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ pound pancetta
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage
  • teaspoons fresh rosemary
  • pounds rabbit meat
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 rib celery
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 14 ounces Italian plum tomatoes
  • teaspoons coarse gray sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • buttered polenta

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil and butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet (2 inches deep) over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add sage and rosemary and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add rabbit and cook, stirring occasionally, until rabbit is no longer pink on outside, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add wine and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, sea salt, and pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.

    35 min