Pasta with Radicchio and Speck Cream Sauce

I can provide you with a recipe for pasta with radicchio and speck cream sauce, a dish that combines the slightly bitter taste of Treviso radicchio with the savory flavor of speck. Here are the ingredients and preparation:

Ingredients

• 320 g of pasta (penne or farfalle work well)
• 200 g of Treviso radicchio
• 100 g of sliced speck
• 1 small onion
• 100 ml of cooking cream
• 50 ml of dry white wine
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Clean the radicchio: Wash the radicchio and cut it into thin strips.
2. Prepare the sauté: In a large frying pan, sauté the finely chopped onion in extra virgin olive oil until it becomes transparent.
3. Cook the radicchio: Add the radicchio to the pan and let it wilt for a few minutes. Then pour in the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
4. Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente following the package instructions.
5. Add the speck: Cut the speck into strips and add it to the radicchio, sautéing briefly to enhance the flavor.
6. Prepare the cream: Pour the cream into the pan with the radicchio and speck and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until slightly reduced. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Dress the pasta: Drain the pasta al dente and transfer it to the pan with the radicchio and speck cream. Toss briefly to mix the ingredients.
8. Serve: Serve the pasta hot, with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Curiosity

Treviso radicchio is known for its distinctive purple color and slightly bitter flavor, which pairs well with the sweetness of the cream and the savory taste of speck. In the Veneto region, from where this variety of radicchio originates, the dish is often prepared during the winter months, when radicchio is in season. However, it is a dish that finds admirers all year round for its balance of flavors.