Pasta with Asparagus Cream and Cooked Ham

Pasta with Asparagus Cream and Cooked Ham is a creamy, springtime dish. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 350 g of pasta of your choice (penne, fusilli, spaghetti)
• 500 g of fresh asparagus
• 150 g of cooked ham, diced or cut into strips
• 200 ml of cooking cream
• 1 clove of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Preparation

1. Clean the asparagus by removing the woody part of the stem and cut them into pieces, separating the tips from the rest of the stalks.

2. Cook the asparagus stems in a pot of boiling salted water for 5-10 minutes until tender.

3. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the asparagus stems with a bit of the cooking water to obtain a smooth cream. Add the cream and adjust for salt and pepper.

4. In a pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil and briefly sauté the garlic. Add and sauté the asparagus tips for 3-4 minutes. Add the cooked ham until it becomes slightly crispy.

5. Combine the asparagus cream into the pan with the ham and asparagus tips.

6. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package directions and drain when al dente.

7. Transfer the pasta to the pan with the cream and mix well to blend all the ingredients together.

Serve the pasta garnished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. The sweetness of the asparagus and the delicate flavor of the cooked ham create a balanced and satisfying dish.