Creamy Pasta and Peas

Pasta and peas is a simple and tasty dish from the Italian tradition. Here’s a basic recipe that you can customize to your taste:

Ingredients

• 320g of pasta (mezze maniche, ditalini or the pasta you prefer)
• 400g of peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 small onion
• As much vegetable broth as needed
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper as needed
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• A sprig of fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by finely chopping the onion and sautéing it in a pan with extra virgin olive oil until it becomes transparent.
2. Add the peas to the pan and let them cook for a few minutes.
3. Pour in enough vegetable broth to cover the peas and cook through. If you’re using frozen peas, the cooking will be quicker.
4. In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
5. When the peas are tender, blend a part with an immersion blender to create a cream (if you prefer a more rustic texture, you can skip this step).
6. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the peas, add the pea cream and stir well to combine everything.
7. If necessary, adjust with salt and pepper and, off the heat, add grated Parmesan cheese if you desire, for a creamier texture and richer flavor.
8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if you like.

Curiosity

Peas are a very common ingredient in Italian cuisine, especially in the spring season. This dish, in its simplicity, is rich in flavor and nutrients and is an example of how Italian cuisine can enhance a few quality ingredients.

If you need alternatives for specific ingredients or further advice, do not hesitate to ask!