Pappardelle With Beets, Beet Greens and Goat Cheese

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the beets away from the greens, scrub them and place in a baking dish or casserole. For this pasta you will need about ¾ pound of beets, which may or may not be the entire bunch. Add ¼ inch of water to the pan, cover tightly and place in the oven. Roast until tender, about 30 minutes for small beets, 40 to 45 for medium and 50 minutes to an hour for large beets. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle them. Slip off the skins and cut in ¼-inch dice. Set aside.

2. Step 2

   While the beets are roasting, stem and wash the greens. Bring a large pot of water, preferably one with a pasta insert, to boil, salt generously and add the greens. Blanch for about 1 minute, just until tender, and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain, squeeze out excess water and chop medium-fine. Keep the heat on under the water.

3. Step 3

   Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet and add the garlic. Cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir in the greens, the diced beets, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir together just until coated with oil. Stir in the chives, and turn the heat to low.

4. Step 4

   Bring the water in the pot back to a boil and add the pappardelle. Cook al dente. Remove 1½ cups of the pasta water from the pot, stir ½ cup of it into the beets and greens, and crumble in the goat cheese. Drain the pappardelle and add to the pan, along with the parsley and another ½ cup of the pasta water. Toss together, and if the mixture seems gummy add more of the remaining pasta water. Serve hot.