norcina

preparing a Norcia-style sauce

NORCIA is a marvelous medieval town in Southeastern Umbria, blessed by fresh mountain air and by the breeding of pigs. Already in the IX century the delicious animal represented a main source of income for the locals. One can modestly say that they have a long standing expertise in making the best sausages of the world. This simple and hearty sauce is available in most restaurants in Umbria and prepared regularly in Umbrian home kitchens.

Recipe

• 1/2 kg (1 pound) sweet Italian sausages, casings removed
• 1 medium onion finely sliced
• 4 tablespoon heavy or whipping cream
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 pound short pasta like fusilli or penne
 or homemade stringozzi
• 4 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional:  1 teaspoon grated truffle or preserved truffle paste

Sauté onion and sausage in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up large pieces with fork, about 10 minutes. Deglaze with 1/2 cup white wine. Add cream and  set aside.

Cook the pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Return to the same pot to keep it warm. With the heat on, add the sausage and cream mixture, stir quickly, add truffle. If the pasta appears too dry, add some cooking water and stir some more to coat and absorb the excess liquid.  Serve immediately with the Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

Serves 4

fusilli with Norcina sauce