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Rachael's Bucatini Carbonara with Leeks, Lemon and Green Garlic

Rachael's Bucatini Carbonara with Leeks, Lemon and Green Garlic

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

  • 1/3 pound meaty guanciale or pancetta, diced

  • 2 leeks, quartered lengthwise, rinsed and dried, thinly sliced

  • 1 bulb green garlic, stalk removed and cloves peeled, or 4 cloves, thinly sliced or chopped

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • ½ cup white wine

  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

  • Salt

  • 1 pound bucatini

  • 6 egg yolks

  • ½ cup each freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more to pass at table

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest and juice of 1 small lemon

Directions

Heat a large pot of water to a boil for pasta.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat with EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, add guanciale or pancetta and render 2-3 minutes. Add leeks and garlic and season with pepper, stir 3-5 minutes. Add wine to pan and let it absorb, turn heat down to low, and add parsley.

Season pasta water liberally with salt and cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions.

Whisk up egg yolks, cheeses, and zest and juice of 1 lemon.

Just before draining pasta, add a mug (about 1 1/4 cups) of boiling salted water to egg yolks while whisking. Drain pasta or transfer with spider to leeks in skillet, pour eggs over, turn off heat, and toss pasta with tongs 1-2 minutes to combine; adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve pasta in shallow bowls with more cheese to pass for topping.