Stuffed Onions with Pasta

Ingredients:

• 4 large yellow onions

• 2 teaspoons olive oil

• 8 ounces Capellini pasta, dry

• 4 ounces bacon or thin sliced pancetta,diced

• 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, minced

Directions:

1. Wash onions, leaving outer skins on. Cut about 1/4 of the top off at the blossom end. Place onions and tops cut side down on baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour until soft inside. Remove from oven; set aside to cool.

2. Cook capellini pasta until al dente, about 4-5 minutes. Rinse in cool running water. Drain well, and toss with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and set aside.
3. Cook bacon or pancetta in sauté pan until crisp. Drain and set aside.

4. When onions have cooled, scoop out the centers leaving 2 layers of onion and the skins intact. Reserve shells. Julienne insides of cooked onion.
5. Place in a heavy saucepan with butter, salt, pepper and thyme. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring often until caramelized.

6. When ready to serve, re-heat onion shells and tops in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Heat caramelized onions with balsamic vinegar, chicken stock and pancetta. Test for seasonings. Add pasta and heat through in sauce. Add parsley, toss well. Place pasta inside onion shells.