Pea Prosciutto Pasta
Servings 4
Ingredients
Pea puree:
- 5 oz peas (thawed if frozen)
- 3/4 cup half and half or whole milk
- ¼ cup water
- 4 sprigs green garlic or 3 cloves garlic
- 4 spring onions or leeks or half a yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups basil leaves lightly packed
- 1 bunch mint leaves removed and stems discarded
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- Red pepper flakes optional
Pasta:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup grated pecorino romano
- 1 lb medium shells pasta cooked al dente
- 1 cup pasta water reserved (plus more if needed)
Toppings
- 6 oz prosciutto or 8 oz pancetta fried and chopped
- 6 oz peas (thawed if frozen)
- Salt to taste
- More cheese for sprinkling
Instructions
Pea Puree
- Thinly slice the green garlic and spring onions. Sautee on medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt for 3-5 min until golden and caramelized. If using standard garlic and onions, caramelize the onions for about 10 minutes on medium heat and then add in the minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 more minutes or until fragrant.
- Add 5 oz thawed peas, half and half, water, mint, basil, sautéed green garlic and onions, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper if using to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Assembly
- Fry the prosciutto or pancetta in a large frying pan. If using prosciutto work in batches and chop into pieces after frying. Remove the fried pork from the pan and set aside, leaving behind the pork fat
- On high heat in a pot of salted water, cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than al dente instructions. The pasta will finish cooking on the stove for 1-2 minutes. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water. Strain the pasta and set aside.
- Add the butter to the pan with the pork fat to melt. Stir to combine
- Add in pasta and pasta water. Add in pea puree. Stir to combine and cook on medium high heat for 1-2 minutes until creamy and saucy but not watery (Add more pasta water as needed). Remove from heat
- Stir in cheese, fried pork, and peas. Top with more cheese and salt if needed
