Springtime Fiddlehead Ham And Pasta Toss Recipes

SPRING FIDDLEHEAD PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until very al dente, about 9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
• Combine the ricotta, lemon zest and a few grinds of black pepper in small bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to foam, add the fiddleheads and sprinkle with pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring gently, until the fiddleheads are crisp-tender and caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the fiddleheads to a bowl. Add the lemon juice, cooked pasta and reserved water to the skillet and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly and the pasta is al dente. Add the ricotta mixture and lightly toss until the pasta is just coated.
• Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the fiddleheads and a few grinds of black pepper.

SPRINGTIME FIDDLEHEAD, HAM AND PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Thoroughly clean fiddleheads and cook in a large pot of boiling water for 15 minutes, until tender. (Keeping the cover off curing cooking will help to maintain the vivid green color). Immediately rinse in cold water to stop cooking process; drain well and set aside. Start cooking pasta according to package directions.
• Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms; sauté for two minutes. Stir in garlic, fiddleheads, chicken broth or wine, basil, mustard, if using, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes, checking to see that the fiddleheads are tender. Add ham and parmesan cheese; stir to heat through. Drain pasta well and toss with the sauce. Serve immediately.

HAM PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add ham; cook and stir until browned, 2-4 minutes . Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in spaghetti, peas and parsley; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese; toss to combine.

FIDDLEHEAD PASTA

Steps:

• To clean and cook fiddleheads: Clean fiddleheads in cold water and rinse several times until the water looks clear. Cut off black ends.
• Bring to a boil 1 1/4 cups water with 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add fiddleheads, making sure they are totally submerged (otherwise they will turn black).
• Cook 8-10 fiddleheads until al dente. when cooked, remove from boiling water and run under cold water so they remain al dente. Set aside.
• Cook pasta as dierected on package. Drain and run cold water over noodles to keep them al dente. Keep warm.
• Combine olive oil and garlic and mix well.
• Toss fiddleheads with pasta, oil-garlic mixture, 1/4 teaspoons salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. If desired for a slighty sweet taste or add hot peppers for a spicy flavor.