Fettuccine alla modenese

Fettuccine alla Modenese is a traditional, tasty and simple dish to prepare. Here are the ingredients and the procedure to make this dish:

Ingredients

• 400 g of fettuccine
• 150 g of cured ham (diced)
• 100 g of peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 small onion
• 30 g of butter
• 200 ml of cooking cream
• grated Parmesan cheese (to taste)
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation

1. Begin by finely chopping the onion and sautéing it in a pan with butter until it becomes transparent.
2. Add the diced cured ham and let it sauté for a few minutes.
3. Add the peas to the pan (if you’re using frozen peas, make sure to thaw them beforehand or follow the package instructions if they can be cooked directly from frozen) and cook for a few minutes to let them season with the ham and onion.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then lower the heat and add the cooking cream. Let it cook for a few minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente. Once cooked, drain them, reserving some of the cooking water.
6. Transfer the fettuccine to the pan with the sauce, mixing well to combine. If necessary, add some of the cooking water to make the sauce creamier.
7. Serve the fettuccine hot, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese as desired.

Curiosity

Despite the name, Fettuccine alla Modenese is not a dish strictly linked to the city of Modena, as is the case with other traditional Italian dishes that bear the name of a locality. However, the use of ham and cream creates a combination that is very popular in Northern Italy’s cuisine. And for an all-Italian twist, you could try substituting the cream with fresh ricotta mixed with a bit of milk for a milder taste and interesting texture.