Summer Corn Pasta

 

2 ears fresh sweet corn

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 tablespoons minced shallot or sweet onion

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

¼ cup white vermouth or dry white wine

¼–½ cup heavy cream

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

½ pound dried orecchiette pasta

¼ cup toasted breadcrumbs

Additional embellishments, such as fresh summer herbs, lemon zest, ground red pepper (cayenne, espelette, gochujang, Aleppo), chopped toasted nuts, crumbled bacon

 

Over a large bowl, cut kernels and scrape corn cobs, then discard cobs. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. While waiting for the water to boil, heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add ginger and sauté, stirring constantly, for an additional minute. Deglaze the pan with the vermouth and reduce the liquid by half. Add ¼ cup of the heavy cream and reduce again by half. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then set aside. When the water reaches a boil, add the pasta. Give it a good stir to make sure the orecchiette “ears” don’t stick together. Cook until just shy of al dente. This shouldn’t take longer than 9 minutes but start testing at 7 minutes. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce. Place a measuring cup in your strainer as a reminder for the next step. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Return the skillet to medium heat, add the pasta and ½ cup of the cooking water, toss until the sauce is glossy, about 2 minutes. Add the raw corn, toss again for an additional minute. If the pasta isn’t saucy enough for your taste, alternate adding splashes of the remaining cream and pasta water as you continue to toss the pasta. Taste once again for seasoning. Serve garnished with toasted breadcrumbs and any other embellishments that make you smile from ear to ear.