Pancetta- and Sesame-Coated Turnips
Crispy turnip wedges wrapped in pancetta and coated with sesame seeds, deep-fried until golden and finished in the oven for the perfect texture. A unique appetizer that combines the earthiness of turnips with the saltiness of Italian bacon and nutty sesame seeds.
Ingredients
- •16 slices pancetta
- •2 large turnips
- •1 large egg
- •1½ cups sesame seeds
- •4 cups vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Wrap 1 pancetta slice around 1 turnip wedge, covering most of turnip. Repeat with remaining pancetta slices and turnip wedges.
10 min
- 2.
Line rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper. Whisk egg in medium bowl to blend and place sesame seeds in another medium bowl. Dip each pancetta-wrapped turnip wedge into beaten egg to coat, then dip into sesame seeds, turning to coat generously on all sides. Place on prepared baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Turnips can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
15 min
- 3.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour enough vegetable oil into heavy medium saucepan to reach depth of 2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan and heat oil to 350°F. Working in batches, add sesame-coated turnip wedges to oil, and deep-fry until sesame seeds are golden, about 1 minute (turnips will be very crunchy). Transfer turnips to paper towels to drain. Arrange turnips on rimmed baking sheet and bake just until turnips are beginning to soften, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
20 min
