Info
- Course: Main Course, Side Dish
- Skill Level: Moderate
- Cost: Moderate
- Favorited: 36 Times
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Garganelli with Spring Onions, Asparagus, and Peas
Cookbook
When springtime finally brings asparagus spears, bulb onions, and plump sweet peas, we combine them in dishes such as this. Just-picked favas, sugar snaps, carrots, and recently dug new potatoes or ramps would also combine beautifully and celebrate the season. Cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces and give them a quick blanch in boiling water before you add them to the sauce. We finish the dish with mint or other tender herbs for another layer of flavor.
Yield : Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 heaping cup sliced spring onions or leeks (white and pale green parts)
- 12 slender asparagus spears, tough bottoms discarded and cut into 2-inch pieces
- Sliced baby carrots, sugar snap peas, or other spring vegetables (see head note)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet peas
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 pound garganelli (see Note)
- ¼ cup chopped mint, plus a little extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon finely sliced chives
- 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or pecorino romano
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions or leeks and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until very soft.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to boil for the pasta. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, add the asparagus, and cook for 1 minute. Add the carrots, if using, and cook for 1 minute. Add the sweet peas and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the snap peas, if using, cook for about 30 seconds, then drain. Add the asparagus and other vegetables to the onions, then stir in the cream. Set the pan aside while you cook the pasta.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and transfer to the pan with the onions.
Place the pan over high heat and cook, tossing, for 1 to 2 minutes, until the vegetables are hot. Add the mint, chives, ½ cup of the cheese, the lemon zest, and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and toss well to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve in warm bowls, garnished with more mint and the remaining grated cheese.
Notes
To Drink: Pinot Grigio or Pinot Bianco (Livio Fellnga)
Garganelli is a pennelike cut, but with trapezoid sides and little ridges that collect all the juices from the pan. Many other shapes, such as rigatoni, penne, or even farfalle, work just as well here.
© 2008 Frank Stitt
Nutritional Information
Nutrients per serving
Nutritional information is based on 1/8 teaspoon added salt per serving.
1621 kcal
33 % daily value
58 % daily value
7 % daily value
1180 mg
236 mg
59 g
14 g
16 g
290 g
50 mg
584 mg
11 g
23 g
86 % daily value
