The HAM AND PEAS PASTA is a great classic of our culinary tradition. A first course as simple and quick as it is flavorful and tasty, which can be prepared all year round, but of course it is ideal in spring, the season when these delicious legumes can be found fresh. Preparing the dish with freshly shelled peas, crunchy and delicate, gives it a completely different taste.
The recipe is very simple but, if prepared perfectly, it becomes interesting and of absolute culinary value. Fresh peas (or otherwise top-quality peas), flavorful cured ham (even a ham end, which costs less and is rightly tasty) and careful finishing with oil, pepper and Parmesan (and some cooking water) are the secrets to a successful dish, which is perfectly blended even without unnecessary added fats, such as the cream typical of the 1980s tradition…
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 5 cups peas (fresh or 2 1/2 cups frozen)
- 4.5 oz cured ham (in a single slice or the ham end (gambuccio))
- Half onion
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1.8 oz Parmesan (about 1/2 cup)
Tools
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Pot
Steps
The preparation of HAM AND PEAS PASTA is very simple and quick.
First, clean the peas. Open the pods (which should be crisp) by applying gentle pressure along the curved side. Carefully open the two halves and remove the seeds, discarding any that are broken or spoiled.
In a large frying pan put a drizzle of oil and the onion finely chopped.
Sauté it over low heat for 5 minutes, add the peas, two glasses of water and let cook for 10 minutes, no more, because the peas should remain firm and crunchy.
Cut the cured ham into cubes and add it to the peas. Adjust with salt and pepper and let it flavor for 2 minutes.
Boil the pasta in plenty of salted water, drain it al dente and let it absorb the flavor in the pan with the sauce and one or two ladles of the cooking water.
With the heat off, add the Parmesan, a drizzle of oil and toss your ham and peas pasta until you obtain a creamy sauce.
Plate and enjoy this very simple first course while hot.
