Pasta with Pancetta, Snap Peas and Mint

 Adapted from Food52 which always has great recipes and ideas

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 pound chopped pancetta (I get this at Trader Joes and it's great!)
4 shallots, minced
1 pint cream
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 pound fresh snap peas, whole, chopped
1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
salt and fresh ground pepper
3/4 pound (3/4 box) pasta, farfalle or orecchiette


In a heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook pancetta until crispy. Take out the pancetta and add the garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until just beginning to color.

Add the shallots and cook for 3-4 minutes to soften, and season with a pinch or two of salt and a turn or two of fresh black pepper.

Meanwhile, bring your pasta water to a boil, salt it, and add your pasta. You will want to time the pasta to be finished just as the sauce is finishing so that the cream doesn't sit long.

With about 3 minutes left on your pasta, add the peas and cook for 2 minutes. We want them to retain their crunch. With one minute remaining, add the cream and quickly bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the cheese, stir, and reduce the heat to low.

Drain the pasta, and toss with the sauce to coat. Sprinkle liberally with fresh mint, and serve with black pepper and extra Parmesan cheese.