Marcella Hazan’s Braised Celery with Tomatoes

Name: Marcella Hazan’s Braised Celery and Tomato
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D2H0M
Total time: PT0D2H0M
Yield: 4–6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 oz. pancetta, cut into 1-in. pieces; ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced; 2 bunches celery (about 2 lb.), stalks trimmed and cut on the bias into 2-in. pieces; ¾ cup whole peeled canned tomatoes with their juices, crushed by hand; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Follow the renowned Italian cookbook author’s lead and simmer your stalks low and slow.

Serves
4–6
Time
2 hours

PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND • FOOD STYLING: JESSIE YUCHEN

By Marcella Hazan

Updated on August 30, 2024

This sedano e pomodori brasati (braised celery and tomato) recipe, adapted from celebrated Italian cookbook author Marcella Hazan, produces results that are surprising from celery: creamy, sweet, luscious. The stalks’ stringy fibers, often removed before cooking, here act as a brace that helps the vegetable keep its shape through a long simmer.

Featured in “The Soft Approach: In Praise of Soft-Cooked Vegetables” by Lesley Porcelli.

Ingredients

3 oz. pancetta, cut into 1-in. pieces
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 bunches celery (about 2 lb.), stalks trimmed and cut on the bias into 2-in. pieces
¾ cup whole peeled canned tomatoes with their juices, crushed by hand
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1

To a large pot over medium-high heat, add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders, about 12 minutes. (If the pancetta begins to brown too fast, turn the heat to medium-low.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside to drain.

Step 2

Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, tomatoes, and ¼ cup of water and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the celery is very tender, about 1½ hours.

Step 3

Transfer the celery with its juices to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the reserved pancetta. Serve hot or at room temperature.

To a large pot over medium-high heat, add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders, about 12 minutes. (If the pancetta begins to brown too fast, turn the heat to medium-low.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside to drain.
Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, tomatoes, and ¼ cup of water and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the celery is very tender, about 1½ hours.
Transfer the celery with its juices to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the reserved pancetta. Serve hot or at room temperature.