Ramp Carbonara

I have really been enjoying the ramps, aka wild leeks, this spring and and up next is this ramp pasta done carbonara style. Carbonara is a simple pasta that traditionally consists of bacon, eggs, pecorino romano and pepper. The basic idea behind the carbanara pasta is that you cook the bacon in a pan, add the noodles and then pour the noodles into the egg and cheese mixture where the egg is 'cooked' and the cheese melts. Of course there are a lot of variations of this recipe and I often like to add seasonal ingredients like asparagus or zucchini and this time I added some wild leeks. I sauted the bottom white part of the ramps in the bacon grease and I mixed in the sliced green parts then I assembled the pasta at the end. I have to say that this is a truly amazing way to enjoy some of springs bounty!

Ramp Carbonara

This carbonara style pasta highlights Springs ramps or wild leeks.

Servings: makes 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound pasta
• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 bunch ramps (aka wild leeks), cleaned and the white parts chopped and the green parts sliced thinly
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 cup pecorino romano or parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
• pepper to taste

Directions

1. Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
2. Cook the bacon in a pan and set aside reserving a tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan.
3. Add the white parts of the ramps to the pan and saute for a minute.
4. Mix the egg yolks, heavy cream and parmigiano reggiano in a large bowl.
5. Drain the cooked pasta reserving some of the water.
6. Mix the pasta and the white and green parts of the ramps into the egg mixture adding pasta water as needed and season with pepper to taste.
7. Serve garnished with grated parmigiano reggiano.

Similar Recipes:
Pasta alla Carbonara
Asparagus Carbonara
Fiddlehead Carbonara
Shrimp Carbonara
Wild Leek and Double Smoked Bacon Tart
Roasted Brussels Sprout Carbonara