Penne with Prosciutto and Asparagus
(Penne con Prosciutto Cotto e Asparagi)
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 pounds small asparagus
1/4 cup butter
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/2 pound boiled ham, diced
1 cup whipping cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 pound Penne pasta
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese plus additional for serving
Directions:
Wash asparagus and cut tips off stalks.
Fill a medium saucepan half full with salted water.
Bring water to a boil.
Add asparagus tips.
Boil about 1 minute or until tender but firm.
Drain asparagus.
Melt butter in a large skillet.
When butter foams, add onions.
Saute over medium heat until pale yellow.
Add drained asparagus and ham.
Saute 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in cream.
Simmer 2 minutes or until cream begins to thicken.
Season with salt and pepper.
Fill a very large saucepan two-thirds full with salted water.
Bring water to a boil.
Add pasta.
Bring water back to a boil and cook pasta uncovered until 'al dente', 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain pasta and place in skillet with sauce.
Add 1/3 cup Parmigiano cheese.
Toss pasta and sauce over medium heat until sauce coats macaroni, 20 to 30 seconds.
Serve immediately with additional Parmigiano cheese. Makes 4 to 6 servings.