When NOT in Rome, YET, eat it anyway!
It is said that this sauce came from the charcoal workers in the Appenines to sustain them during their long days of work. Others say, the pepper looks like charcoal dust, giving the dish its name. I like to use my favorite dried pasta, buccatini, instead of spaghetti for this dish.
1 lb. pasta
1 T. olive oil
2 T. butter
6 oz. chopped pancetta
5 eggs (or 4 eggs and one yolk) at room temp
4 oz. heavy cream
salt and black pepper
1 1/4 c. freshly grated cheese (half Parmesan and half Pecorino Romano)
Beat eggs and cream together with a pinch of salt. Heat oil and butter in a large saute pan, and cook pancetta until fat is transparent, but not too crisp. Cook pasta until al dente, and drain pasta water into serving dish to keep bowl warm. Pour hot pasta into pancetta pan and stir well to coat. Remove pan from heat, and stir in eggs, cream a some of the cheese. Work quickly. The eggs will coagulate when they come in contact with hot pasta. They should not look scrambled or raw, but creamy. Add the rest of the cheese and toss with black pepper. Empty serving bowl of hot pasta water and serve. Delicious!
Comments (4)
Palma, that looks delicious. And where did you get the plate? It's lovely.
Posted by Sandra | March 28, 2008 7:36 PM
Posted on March 28, 2008 19:36
Sandra,
It was my first set of Italian dishes from Positano (Ceramiche Casola) in 2003.
Posted by Palma | March 28, 2008 9:35 PM
Posted on March 28, 2008 21:35
Spaghetti alla Carbonara is one of my favorite memories of Rome. Thanks for posting the recipe. It looks great and easy.
Posted by Marta | March 29, 2008 11:18 AM
Posted on March 29, 2008 11:18
Oh my gosh...this is truly a favorite of mine as well. Counting down the days til June when we return!!!
Posted by Deb Rountree | March 31, 2008 5:17 AM
Posted on March 31, 2008 05:17