This Southern twist on traditional carbonara incorporates the flavors of collard greens and country ham, offering a delicious and comforting pasta dish. The creamy sauce made from eggs and Parmesan cheese coats the pasta beautifully, while the crispy ham and hearty collard greens add depth and texture to every bite.
Ingredients: 8 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice. 4 slices country ham, diced. 2 cups collard greens, chopped. 4 large eggs. 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. 4 cloves garlic, minced. 2 tablespoons olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Chopped fresh parsley for garnish.
Instructions: Follow the directions on the package to cook the pasta until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Warm up the olive oil in a big pan over medium-low heat. It will take about 34 minutes of cooking after adding the diced country ham until it is crispy. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another minute or two, until the garlic smells good. Put chopped collard greens into the pan and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until they wilt. Add eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix them together and whisk them. When the collard greens start to wilt, add the cooked pasta to the pan with the ham and greens. Sprinkle to mix. Take the pan off the heat and quickly add the egg and cheese mixture. Make sure the pasta is evenly covered. If the sauce is too thick, add the pasta water slowly until you get the consistency you want. Put the pan back on low heat and keep stirring the sauce for about one to two minutes, or until it gets a little thicker. Watch out not to break the eggs. Take it off the heat and add some chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
Rebecca Gellars










