Smoky Spaghetti Carbonara
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Spaghetti Carbonara is named for the coal miner. And yet, there is nothing smoky about the original version—guanciale and pancetta are both unsmoked cuts of pork. So, I used smoked salt and smoked bacon to reinforce the classic pasta’s namesake. I even added a bit of smoked salt to the pasta water, although I couldn’t determine if that made any difference. The result is as luscious and creamy as the original, but with a decidedly winter-in-a-log-cabin meets mountain-backyard American attitude. I love this version.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 zucchini, cut into a very fine julienne (optional; use a julienne peeler)
- 2 cups cream
- 6 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup Romano cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon dry white wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 6 slices bacon, diced
Procedures
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1
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Season with salt, including 1 tablespoon smoked salt (optional). Cook the spaghetti until just under al dente. Add the zucchini 1 to 2 minutes before the pasta is done, and drain with the pasta (optional).
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2
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large high-sided pan on medium heat. Add the bacon, and cook until crisp. Add the wine, if you want to.
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3
Drain the pasta.
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4
Take the pan off the hot burner, and shut off the heat. Whisk together the eggs and cream and cheeses in a separate bowl, and pour them into the pan. Put over a very low flame, and add the pasta. Season with smoked salt and cracked black pepper. Heat very low until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
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5
Top with more Parmesan, smoked salt, and the chopped parsley.
