Fettucine with Ham and Cream

Ingredients

• •4 ounces prosciutto crudo or other unsmoked ham (raw or cooked)
• •1/4 cup butter
• •2 shallots, very finely chopped
• •2/3 cup heavy cream
• •12 ounces fettucine
• •1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• •salt and ground black pepper
• •fresh parsley sprig, to garnish

Directions

1. 1Cut the fat from the ham and chop both lean and fat parts separately into small squares.
2. 2Melt the butter in a medium frying pan and add the shallots and the squares of ham fat. Cook until golden. Add the lean ham, and cook for 2 minutes more. Season with black pepper. Stir in the cream and keep warm over low heat while the pasta is cooking.
3. 3Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water until tender to the tooth. Drain, turn into a warmed serving dish and toss with the sauce. Stir in the cheese and serve immediately, garnished with a sprig of parsley.