Angela's Italian Recipe for Pasta with Spring Vegetables and Prosciutto

Pasta with Spring Vegetables and Prosciutto
(Pasta con Verdure di Primavera e Prosciutto)


Ingredients:
3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil One 35-ounce can plum tomatoes, drained and chopped coarse (about 3 cups) 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled, plus, if desired, fresh whole basil leaves for garnish 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese 8 asparagus stalks, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 1 bunch of broccoli, the flowerets cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups) and the stems reserved for another use 2 small zucchini, scrubbed, trimmed, quartered, and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 1 cup shelled fresh or frozen petits pois (tiny peas) 1 cup snow peas, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces 1 lb dried pasta such as trenette (fettuccine with one ruffled edge) or spaghetti 1/4 lb prosciutto, cut into thin strips

Directions:

In a kettle cook the garlic and the red pepper flakes in the olive oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is softened, add the tomatoes, and boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until it is thickened and the liquid is reduced to a thick puree. Stir in the chopped basil and salt and pepper to taste. In a saucepan combine the butter, the cream, and the broth, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer it, stirring occasionally, until it is reduced to 1/2 cup. Whisk in the Parmigiano cheese, whisking until the mixture is smooth, whisk the mixture into the tomato mixture, whisking until the sauce is combined well, and keep the sauce warm. In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the asparagus for 2 minutes, add the broccoli and the zucchini, and cook the vegetables, for 2 minutes. Add the peas, cook the vegetables for 1 minute, and add the snow peas.

Cook the vegetables for 30 seconds, or until they are all just tender, transfer them with a slotted spoon or sieve to the sauce, and toss them gently to coat them with the sauce. Return the cooking liquid in the kettle to a boil, in it cook the pasta until it is 'al dente', and drain it well. In the kettle combine the pasta with the vegetable mixture, the prosciutto, and salt and pepper to taste. Divide the pasta mixture among 6 heated plates and garnish it with the basil leaves. Serves 6.