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Home » Dinner Recipes

Green Pasta and Ham (Well...Pancetta)

Published: Feb 15, 2012 · Modified: Apr 18, 2023 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

 
This is one of those days where simplicity and quick dinners turns into something deliciously surprising. I wasn't even planning on writing about this, but Joe did such a good job, I just had to snap some quick photos.
 
And I have to say, I'm not the only June Cleaver in this kitchen...nope...Joe can throw down some apron-handling, lemon juggling, pasta magic too. And after a long day and late classes, you want something good (and preferrably with carbs),quick, not too heavy and FULL of flavor.
 
Success.
 
So here is what Joey created.
 
Ingredients:
 
½ lb Spinach Pasta (or other)
8 oz Pancetta, chopped2ts
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Few stalks of swiss chard, roughly chopped
Small bunch of asparagus, cut in ½ or ⅓ on a diagnol
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
½-1c freshly grated Parmigiano
Olive oil for drizzling
Salt and pepper, to taste
 
Method:
 
1) Start by boiling your water and cooking pasta. Reseve 1 cup of pasta water. 
 
2)In a large heated skillet, drizzle about 2tsp of olive oil in pan and cook pancetta until browned.
When done, remove pancetta and set on a seperate plate.
 
3) In same pan, add swiss chard, asparagus, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper.
*Joe likes both the leaves and stems. So strim just the ends of the stem off and chop the stem in small pieces.
*Add more oil if needed.
Cook vegetables for about 5 minutes until they are tender and bright green.
 
4) When vegetables are done, add pancetta back in the pan and lower the heat.
 
5) Grate about ½-1c of freshly grated Parmigiana cheese and add to pan.
 
5) When pasta is done, drain and add pasta directly to pan. Add about ¼ cup of starchy pasta water to pan and wix well. If you think its too dry, add more.
 
What I love about this dish is that everything happens in one pan..how easy is that? Asparagus and chard are earthy and snappy. The pancetta and parmigiana introduced a perfect salty bite. This will deffinitely be our go-to meal on long days.
 
 
 
Enjoy! 

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Hi, I'm Samantha! I started this blog for my love of world cuisine and cultural flavors! You’ll find everything here from Jewish recipes, Middle Eastern, Italian and more!

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