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Sautéed Peas, Prosciutto and Pine Nuts

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Spring wouldn’t be Spring without a delicious Sweet Pea Side Dish! Tender young Peas are sautéed with shallots, garlic, prosciutto, pine nuts, and topped off with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.

Peas, Prosciutto, and Pine Nuts Side Dish in a white serving dish topped with Parmesan Cheese.

Spring is the start of gardening season. Peas love cooler weather. I love picking peas right off the vine! They’re just like candy, they’re so sweet!

I’ve always liked peas. However, I realize not everyone is on team “Pea”! Some actually loathe the poor defenseless little green buggers!

A few years ago for a Sunday dinner, in early Spring, I needed a quick vegetable side dish. Just so happened I had a big bag of sweet frozen peas. I also had a big bag of pine nuts a friend had just dropped off, and a package of prosciutto! It got me to thinking. What would happen if I threw them all together with a little garlic and some shallots?

I’ll tell you what happened! I turned the Pea haters in my family into bona-fied Pea Lovers! Yep, even if you haven’t been a life-long member of team “Sweet Peas”…you’re gonna love this recipe! It’s a game changer.

Ingredients for Prosciutto and Peas

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (1 pound) bag of frozen Sweet Peas, thawed
  • 4 ounces (1/8 inch-thick slices) prosciutto, diced or thinly sliced into strips
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 4 Tablespoon grated Parmesan Cheese, for garnish

How To Make Peas & Prosciutto Side Dish

Heat oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté until tender, about 1 minute.

Add the peas, and sauté until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Adding Peas to hot skillet with shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Add the sliced prosciutto. Prosciutto adds loads of flavor!

TIP: You can dice the prosciutto rather than cutting it into thin strips. Whatever works best for you and your tastes.

What is Prosciutto?

The word Prosciutto mean “ham” in Italian. It is made from the hind legs of pigs and is aged during a “dry-curing” process. There are two different types of prosciutto. We want prosciutto crud, which is uncooked, yet cured.

You can purchase prosciutto in most markets, generally in the specialty deli section.

Adding Prosciutto to Peas in the skillet.

Next add 1/4 cup of Pine Nuts. Sautè with the prosciutto for an additional 1–2 minutes. The flavors all come together as they cook together. This isn’t your Grandma’s Pea recipe!

Adding Pine Nuts to Peas and Prosciutto.

Finishing off the Peas and Prosciutto

Place peas, prosciutto, and pine nuts in a serving dish. I think this is a gorgeous Spring side dish. There’s one more thing to do before we call it good with this simple recipe.

Sprinkle the top of the Peas with shredded Parmesan Cheese. If you want an extra kick of flavor I recommend using Asiago Cheese. It’s a unique flavor, but one that would go well with this side dish.

This dish pairs beautifully with your Easter Ham! (Hint, hint)

Peas, Prosciutto, and Pine Nuts in serving dish.

Other Favorite Side Dish Recipes

Yield: 6 servings

Sweet Peas, Prosciutto, and Pine Nuts

Peas, Prosciutto, and Pine Nuts Side Dish in a white serving dish topped with Parmesan Cheese.

Spring wouldn't be Spring without a delicious Sweet Pea Side Dish! Tender young Peas are sauteed with shallots, garlic, prosciutto, pine nuts, and topped off with freshly shredded parmesan cheese.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 Shallots, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (1 pound) bag frozen peas, thawed
  • 4 ounces (1/8-inch thick slices) prosciutto, sliced or diced
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
  • 4 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

  1. Heat oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper, saute until tender, about 1 minute.
  2. Add the peas and saute until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the prosciutto and pine nuts, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remove from heat. Season to taste, with additional salt and pepper. Serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 133Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g

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