Il Cucinologo
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Pasta with Leek and Potato Cream and Crispy Speck

17/11/2023

Here is an Italian variant of a dish that combines the sweetness of leeks and potatoes with the savoriness of crispy speck.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (penne or fusilli will work well)
  • 2 medium leeks
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 100 g of thinly sliced speck
  • 200 ml of cooking cream
  • 50 ml of vegetable broth (you can substitute chicken broth if you prefer)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the leeks: cut away the tougher green part and the root, then slice them in half lengthwise and rinse under running water to remove any dirt. After rinsing, slice the leeks thinly.
  2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into fairly small pieces.
  3. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the sliced leeks with a pinch of salt. Let them soften over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the potatoes to the leek soffritto, pour in the vegetable broth, and cook over medium-low heat until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes (add a little water if needed to prevent drying out).
  5. While the leek and potato mixture cooks, cut the speck slices into strips and toast them in a nonstick pan without adding any fat until crispy. Set aside.
  6. Once the potatoes are ready, use an immersion blender (or a food processor) to blend everything into a cream. Return the cream to the heat, add the cream, and adjust salt and pepper. If the cream seems too thick, thin it with a little pasta cooking water.
  7. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
  8. Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water, and transfer it to the pan with the leek and potato cream. Add a little cooking water if needed to make everything creamy.
  9. Plate the pasta, topping each portion with the crispy speck strips.
  10. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan before serving.

Trivia

Speck is a typical product from Alto Adige in Italy, distinguished by its smoky notes and the characteristic aging process that combines salt, spices, and smoking. The crispy texture adds a pleasant variation to the dish.