Recipe of the week: pork knuckle ragù

Pork knuckle is an economic cut of meat and ideal for slow cooking in a ragù, says Gennaro Contaldo. For extra flavour, I season the pork with a mix of garlic, herbs and grated parmesan. Pork knuckle takes time to cook, but the resulting rich tomato sauce can be served with some freshly cooked pasta, and the pork enjoyed as a main course with a green salad.

Serves 4

2 garlic cloves, diced 2 rosemary sprigs, needles stripped and finely chopped handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped zest of ¼ a lemon 10g grated parmesan 1.5kg pork knuckle (in one piece) 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 50ml white wine ½ an onion, finely chopped 1 celery stick, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 litre passata approx. 600ml water sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Combine the garlic, rosemary, parsley, lemon zest, grated parmesan and a little salt and pepper in a bowl, then place this mixture around the cavity of the pork, pressing it in well. Tie up with kitchen string so that the filling doesn’t escape.

• Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium-to-high heat, add the pork and seal well on all sides for about 20 minutes, then add the wine and allow it to evaporate. Transfer the pork to a plate and set aside.

• Heat the remaining olive oil in the same pan, add the onion, celery and carrot and sweat over a medium heat for about 5 minutes until softened. Return the pork to the pan, then add the passata and enough water nearly to cover the pork. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, partially cover with a lid and cook gently for 3½ hours until the meat is tender and almost falling off the bone, and the sauce has thickened.

• Remove the pork and slice the meat, then serve with a little of the tomato sauce. You can also serve the tomato sauce with some freshly cooked pasta, if you like.

• Note: Any leftover tomato sauce can be stored in the fridge or freezer for another time. As is typical in Italian meat ragù, this simple effortless dish can be enjoyed for two courses and in Italy is usually served for Sunday lunch.

Taken from Gennaro’s Cucina: Hearty Money-Saving Meals from an Italian Kitchen by Gennaro Contaldo published by Pavilion Books at £25. To buy from The Week Bookshop for £19.99, call 020-3176 3835 or visit theweekbookshop.co.uk.