This succulent dish is an adaptation of a recipe that Dario Cecchini, the most famous butcher in Italy, shares with his clients (his shop is in Panzano, near Florence). Vin Santo, Tuscany's celebrated dessert wine, lends its sweet, nutty flavor to the dish. Sautéed spinach would be a colorful side.
Look for fresh green shallots with glossy tight skins at farmers' markets.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix salt, dried thyme, and white pepper in small bowl. Rub 1 tablespoon oil over roast. Rub salt mixture over roast. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add meat and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer roast to plate.
Step 2
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, shallots, and fennel to same pot. Sauté until vegetables are golden brown, stirring frequently and scraping up browned bits, about 12 minutes. Add Vin Santo; boil 3 minutes. Return veal to pot, nestling into vegetables, and top with some of vegetables. Cover; roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of veal registers 165°F, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Step 3
Transfer veal to platter. Mix fresh thyme into vegetables. Season cooking liquid with salt and pepper. Spoon vegetables and cooking liquid around roast.
