Pappardelle con Frittedda Wide Pasta Ribbons with Springtime Sauce

Frittedda, in the Sicilian dialect, means a stew of asparagus, young onions, small broad beans, peas and artichokes, all of which are in season between March and April. It makes an excellent sauce for the largest size of pasta ribbon, pappardelle.

To make this sauce, firstly prepare the artichokes by removing the tough outer leaves and trip the base of the stems. With a sharp knife, trim the tips of the leaves, leaving only the tender parts. Cut into quarters and remove any choke.

Put all the vegetables  in a large saucepan with the oil and water. Cook gently for 20 minutes then, when you are sure everything is cooked, add some salt and pepper and the parsley. Mix well.

In a saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and mix with the sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve.