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Sicilian Cooking

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Pasta with Peas

( Pasta con Piselli – Pasta chi Piseddi )

This Pasta is easily made and what will surprise you will be the complexity of the aroma and taste that derive from so few and simple ingredients. The sauce is made with peas, scallions or onion and parsley, the garnish is grated pecorino. The best cuts for pasta chi piseddi are the ditali or tubetti ; or if you prefer use shells, spaghetti or freshly made tagliarini (fettuccine).

Pasta e Piselli - Pasta with peas
  • Serving Size4-6
  • Legumes and Vegetables PastaPasta with Peas

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb. Pasta (shells, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
    • 5 tablespoons of olive oil
    • 3 scallions chopped or 1 medium onion chopped
    • 2 cups of peas (fresh boiled 5 minutes; if frozen boiled 7 minutes)
    • ¼ cup chopped parsley leaves
    • ½ cup grated Pecorino cheese
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1

    Over high heat, in a sauté pan, combine the olive oil and the scallions or the onion. Cook scallions for about 8 minutes or until soft and light golden in color. Add parsley and peas and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Simmer until ready to use.

    2
    Cook the pasta al dente in an abundant amount of salted water and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. When pasta is cooked, drain and return to the pot. Reserve a cup of cooking water.
    3

    On a low flame, toss in half of the sauce into pot. If it is too dry add some of the reserved pasta water.

    4

    Remove the pot from the heat and mix in half of the cheese.

    5

    Pour pasta in a warm large serving bowl, or make individual portions, top with the remaining pea’s sauce and serve immediately.

    6

    Serve pasta with cheese on the side; place a pepper mill on the table.

    VARIATION

    7

    Use ditali or tubetti pasta if you want to make the pasta with peas soupier. Follow the above directions and when pasta is cooked, drain and return to the pot. On a low flame, toss all the sauce and add 1 quart of hot chicken or meat broth. Serve the cheese on the side. On a cold day, this not too watery minestra will be enjoyed greatly.