"Jefferson" Virginia Ham Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 (8.8-oz.) packages strozzapreti pasta
• 1/4 pound country ham, cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 shallots, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces assorted wild mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Viognier or dry white wine
• 1/2 cup frozen sweet peas
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese

Preparation

1. 1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. 2. Meanwhile, sauté ham in hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat 2 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. Add shallots; sauté 1 minute. Add mushrooms and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Stir in wine, and cook 5 minutes or until reduced by half.
3. 3. Add peas, next 4 ingredients, and 1/2 cup cheese, stirring until cheese begins to melt and cream begins to thicken. Stir in hot cooked pasta, and toss until coated. Serve immediately with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
4.