Should there be peas in carbonara?

Food and Drink

Posted by fischersentropy, November 5, 2008 at 8:24 AM

Is that really classic (it's not in Marcella Hazan's recipe)? And if not, how did peas end up in there?

24 Comments Favorite this! (0)

24 Comments:

I tried to reply before but I guess it didn't go through...

Peas do not belong in carbonara (or anywhere IMHO) and neither do onions. *makes blechy face*

Southern_bella at 8:37AM on 11/05/08

Peas are not an ingredient in classic carbonara. But I like peas and it is okay with me if they are in my carbonara. We can call it something else if you would like.

izatryt at 8:42AM on 11/05/08

No, peas should not make a cameo in carbonara. Maybe in some casserole, but not carbonara.

Mmmm, carbonara...

DCraver at 9:50AM on 11/05/08

No peas, no onion, no mushrooms, no cream, no herbs (just s&p), and to be classicly correct, use guanciale....not pancetta and definitely not bacon.

grampart at 10:25AM on 11/05/08

Please do not ruin that delicious dish by putting in peas. Peas have no business being anywhere. Except maybe in the trash.

I second DCraver: Mmmmm, carbonara...

Butrflygirly at 11:04AM on 11/05/08

I think you may be thinking of another dish....i know I've had peas with prosciutto over pasta...put that's not carbonara.

juliebugsmama at 11:16AM on 11/05/08

Here's one I've made using frozen peas.

Pasta Bellissima Recipe
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
8 ounces Canadian bacon,cut into 1/4 julienne strips
1 8 ounce jar roasted red bell peppers,drained and chopped
1/4 pound snow pea pods,cut in half digonally
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound fettucine, cooked al dente and drained

Directions
In a large skillet, melt the butter.
Add bacon and cook, stirring for 1 minute
Add peppers and pea pods.
Cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat with butter
Stir in cream, salt and pepper:heat to boiling.
Lower hear and simmer, stirring ocasionally, until sauce thickens slightly , about 3 minutes
Add Parmesan to sauce and mix until well blended.
Toss with warm fettucine and serve immediately.

grampart at 11:50AM on 11/05/08

@Julie- some of the "eye-talian" joints around me have put peas in their carbonara, and onions... actually most of the joints in a 10 mile radius to my house have both in theirs.

Southern_bella at 12:35PM on 11/05/08

Nope

snowmoonelk at 12:36PM on 11/05/08

@izytart: brava! That is my reaction exactly. I love classic carbonara, but I happen to like peas (and mushrooms) too. If someone is bothered by my version, I call it "Bacon and Egg Spaghetti" and put in whatever I want! There is no classic recipe for that name.

Cary at 12:48PM on 11/05/08

There's Italian-Italian and then there's American-Italian.

All kinds of things happen to classic dishes once they hit American shores.

wookie at 1:16PM on 11/05/08

I've seen peas and ham (or prosciutto) in alfredo type sauces over pasta, but not in carbonara.