When I was at the store the other day, buying Prosciutto di San Daniele that I used in my Prosciutto wrapped Lobster Tails, I made sure to get plenty of it. I knew I was going to cook several dishes with it, and guys, I just LOVE prosciutto. If I had some nice crusted bread, butter and prosciutto for the rest of my life, I would be one content woman.
Unfortunately, the store that carries it is nowhere near my house, and it’s totally out of my way to get it whenever I feel like it, so I’m a bit depraved of it. All that being said, I am confessing right now that this is the second and only dish with prosciutto that I will be posting at this time. I ate it all. Oops.
Good news is, it’s a keeper. This dish was spontaneous, what else would go nice with this and is in my fridge kind of stroke of genius moment dish. I am in love with it, and if you try it, I know you will be too.
It is bursting with flavors, Prosciutto is so amazing in combination with butternut squash. Salty and sweet together, just perfect. This one is going in my Fall and year around favorites.
Prosciutto and Butternut Squash Pasta
1 small to medium sized butternut squash
1/4 lbs of Prosciutto di San Daniele
2 cups of roughly chopped arugula
1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts
2 shallots, chopped
couple of sprigs od fresh thyme and rosemary
3 Tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for cooking the pasta, plus 1 Tbsp for roasting the Squash
2 cloves of garlic
12 oz Pappardelle Pasta (very broad and flat noodles)
salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Begin the dish by preparing the butternut squash for roasting. Cut a very thin piece of the bottom to make it more stable, and then cut it in half lengthwise. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
With a large spoon scoop the membranes and seeds from the center. Cut it into 1/2″ cubes.
Now, season the squash with a tablespoon of olive oil, one clove of minced garlic, some fresh thyme (1 sprig) and salt and pepper. Toss it all together so everything is coated and then put on a cookie sheet lined with greased baking paper. Roast for about 25 minutes.
While the squash is roasting, begin preparing the rest of the dish. Start boiling the water for pasta in a large pot, you will season the water when it starts boiling with a lot of salt. Like three tablespoons. If you season the water as soon as you get it on the stove, it will take longer for it to start boiling.
Thinly slice one clove of garlic and chop the herbs very finely. Slice the Prosciutto lengthwise and then into one inch pieces.
Heat the remaining three tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan and saute the shallots for a few minutes, until they become translucent. Add one thinly sliced clove of garlic and herbs to the pan and as soon as you can smell the garlic, add sliced Prosciutto di San Daniele. Cook it for about two minutes. Add roasted Squash to the pan (about two cups of it) and half of the toasted pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper, but be careful with the salt, Prosciutto will already give it lots of saltines and flavor!
Boil the pasta al dente, according to your package, and then add it to the pan. Immediately put the arugula in and toss everything together. Check for seasoning once again and then serve. Top each serving or the dish you are serving it in with remaining toasted pine nuts and enjoy!
If you want, you can also add some thinly shaved Parmesan cheese on top, but believe it or not, I didn’t think it needed any, no matter how much I love cheese (especially a good Parmesan). But if you are a fan, it would certainly go beautiful together.
