This is a very rustic dish, the meat and potatoes redolent with rosemary and garlic and bathed in butter and pork fat. But as rich as all of that sounds, the best part might be the front legs that end up crispy and delicious; as you gnaw the bones, you’ll be reminded more than a little of fried chicken, and that’s never a bad thing. I portion out the rabbit so that the darker pieces get a little more cooking and the loin receives nothing more than a quick sear. As with Braised Rabbit Paws with Radiatore (page 89), make sure you ask the butcher for the smaller and more tender fryers, not roasters.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　3 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1 pound fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise

　　8 ounces pancetta, diced

　　2 sprigs rosemary

　　3 fat cloves garlic, smashed

　　2 fryer rabbits

　　Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

　　3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

　　

Step 2

In an ovenproof sauté pan, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes, cut-side down, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Add the pancetta, rosemary, and garlic and toss to combine. Place the pan in the oven and roast until the potatoes are tender and the pancetta is crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven, discard the rosemary, and place the potatoes, garlic, and pancetta on paper towels to drain the excess fat. Reserve.

　　

Step 3

To prepare the rabbits, using a sharp knife, begin by removing the front legs at the joint and set aside. Next, slice off the loins, or the strips of meat that run along the backbone of each rabbit. Slice each loin into rough 1-inch chunks and reserve. Finally, debone the back legs, cutting the meat off the bone in pieces about the same size as the loin slices. Keep the leg meat separate from the pieces of loin. Season all the rabbit pieces with salt and pepper.

　　

Step 4

In a cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the front legs and back leg pieces and brown very well, turning frequently, 4 to 5 minutes. When the rabbit legs are mahogany, add the loin pieces and sear on both sides. Remove immediately and place on the plate with the potatoes, allowing the residual heat to finish cooking the meat. When ready to serve, return the rabbit meat to the skillet along with the potatoes, pancetta, and garlic. Cook until the potatoes are heated through. Add the parsley, toss, and serve from the pan.

　　Ethan Stowell's New Italian Kitchen