Pasta with Asparagus Cream

17/11/2023

Pasta with asparagus cream is a delicious spring first course. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

320 g of pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your preferred shape)
500 g of asparagus
1 shallot (or a small onion)
200 ml of cream (or vegetable cream for a lighter version)
50 g of grated Parmesan cheese (optional for those who do not consume dairy)
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Pasta cooking water as needed

Preparation

Clean the asparagus by removing the tough, fibrous end of the stem. Wash them and cut off the tips, setting them aside. Chop the rest of the stems into small pieces.
In a large pan, sauté the finely chopped shallot in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Add the chopped asparagus stems to the pan and let them cook for a few minutes, adding a little water if necessary.
Blend the asparagus stems with a bit of the pasta cooking water or vegetable broth until smooth. If necessary, strain the cream through a sieve to remove fibers.
Return the cream to the pan, add the cream and heat over low heat. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water according to the package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, add the asparagus tips to the cream and cook for a few minutes until they are tender yet still crunchy.
Drain the pasta al dente, reserving a cup of the cooking water, and pour it into the pan with the asparagus cream. If necessary, add some cooking water to make the cream more fluid.
Stir well to blend the pasta with the cream, add the Parmesan cheese and stir for another minute (if your diet allows it).
Serve the pasta with asparagus cream immediately while hot, with a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil if desired.

For an extra Italian touch, you might finish with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley or some Parmesan shavings over the served pasta.

Curiosity

Asparagus is very much appreciated in Italian cuisine, not only for their delicate flavor but also for their diuretic and purifying properties. Pasta with asparagus cream is an excellent way to enhance this vegetable, especially during its peak freshness season.