Pasta with spring vegetables—or, for that matter, any vegetables—has always been a staple of Italian cuisine. But Sirio Maccioni, the renowned Italian restaurateur who has owned Le Cirque for decades, claims to be the one to baptize it primavera in 1974. Along with Romeo Salta, and the Giambelli brothers, Sirio was at the lead in bringing the fine Italian dining experience to New York. Sirio runs a restaurant that is French by name but serves pasta primavera.

　　

Ingredients

serves 6

　　1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta pot

　　1 pound capellini

　　1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　4 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled

　　8 ounces green beans, cut into 1-to-2-inch lengths

　　8 ounces asparagus, peeled, cut into 1-to-2-inch lengths

　　1 pint grape tomatoes

　　1 bunch scallions, chopped

　　1 cup frozen peas, thawed

　　1/2 cup heavy cream

　　1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, shredded

　　1/2 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano

　　

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Once it is boiling, slide in the capellini, and cook until al dente.

　　

Step 2

Pour 1/4 cup of the olive oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat, then toss in the garlic cloves. Once the garlic begins to sizzle, slip in the green beans, asparagus, and salt. Pour in 1/2 cuppasta water, then cover and let steam until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Once the asparagus and green beans are crisp-tender, add the grape tomatoes, and cook until they begin to wrinkle, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the scallions and peas into the skillet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and ladle in about 2 cups pasta water. Bring to a rapid boil, and cook until reduced by about half.

　　

Step 4

When the capellini is al dente, transfer it to the sauce. Pour in the cream, the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and up to 1/2 cup more pasta water if the sauce is too dense. Bring to a boil, and cook until sauce coats the pasta; toss with the shredded basil. Remove from heat, and toss with the grated cheese.

　　Reprinted with permission from Lidia's Italy in America by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali. Copyright © 2011 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.