Green Beans with Soffritto and Country Ham

Ingredients

1. 1 1/4 pounds green beans
2. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3. 2 medium carrots, finely diced
4. 2 medium celery ribs, finely diced
5. 1 small onion, finely diced
6. Pinch of crushed red pepper
7. Pinch of dried oregano
8. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
9. 1 garlic clove, minced
10. 3 ounces thinly sliced country ham or prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks (1/2 cup)
11. 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
12. 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the beans until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain the beans and cut them into 1-inch lengths.
2. In a medium skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the carrots, celery, onion, crushed red pepper and oregano and cook over low heat until the vegetables are just tender, about 25 minutes. Season the soffritto with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat until fragrant, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the country ham and rosemary and cook over moderately high heat until the ham is sizzling, about 1 minute. Stir in the vinegar. Add the green beans and soffritto and toss until heated through. Season with salt and pepper and serve.