Wuselig Recipes · Recipe 76
Puschel’s Ham Pasta with Cucumber Salad
Mix small square pasta with cooked ham and onion in a frying pan. Serve cucumber salad alongside.
The little story
A Plate Full of Pasta Patches
Puschel looked into the bowl of cooked ham pasta. The little pieces were soft and square. Two empty bowls and cucumber salad waited on the table.
Puschel„Who put so many patches in our food?“
Flauschi„They are called Fleckerl. Today the patches belong there.“
Puschel spooned a portion into his bowl. Then another. Flauschi’s remained almost empty. She raised her eyebrows and pointed.
Flauschi„My bowl has not got a single pasta patch.“
Puschel„Oh. I collected them all in mine.“
Using the clean serving spoon he divided the pasta again. Now both bowls were nicely filled.
Puschel„Evenly patched!“
Flauschi„That is how I like it.“
They added cucumber salad and waited a little. Puschel studied the squares on his spoon.
Puschel„This is the first time I can make patches and eat them afterwards.“
Flauschi laughed. Luckily the tablecloth had stayed clean.
Preparation: about 15 min · Boiling and frying: about 20 min, partly overlapping · Total about 35 min.
For 4 family portions
How to make it
In a few words: Mix small square pasta with cooked ham and onion in a frying pan. Serve cucumber salad alongside.
Ingredients
- 300 g dry Fleckerl pasta (small square pasta)
- 200 g cooked pork ham
- 1 small onion (about 80 g)
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil for the pan
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 litres water and ½ tsp salt for pasta
- Salad: 1 cucumber (about 400 g), 1 tbsp rapeseed oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice and a small pinch of salt
- Pepper to taste
Method
- Wash hands. Weigh ingredients and get equipment ready. Adults handle knives, graters, tin openers, mixers, the hob, oven and all hot containers.
- Wash cucumber. An adult thinly slices it and finely dices onion and cooked ham. Mix cucumber with salad oil, lemon and a pinch of salt; keep cool.
- An adult boils salted water and cooks pasta following the packet, usually 7–10 minutes. Ladle out 100 ml cooking water before draining. Keep clear of hot steam.
- Meanwhile heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan. Soften onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add cooked ham and fry for 3 minutes.
- Drain pasta and add it with parsley. Stir over heat for 2–3 minutes. If dry, add 2–4 tbsp reserved pasta water. Season with a little pepper; ham is already salty.
- Divide into four portions and serve with cucumber salad. Cool before eating. This pan version has no raw egg mixture and is not baked.
Equipment
Saucepan, large frying pan, colander, bowl, ladle
Allergens and shopping
wheat/gluten; pasta may contain egg and ham may contain other allergens. Check actual ingredient labels and family allergies.
Vegetable pasta without ham
Replace ham with 200 g very finely diced carrots and 100 g frozen peas. Soften carrots with onion and 3 tbsp water for about 8–10 minutes, adding a little water if needed. Add peas and fully cook for at least the time on their packet, then mix in cooked pasta and parsley. Vegetables should be tender. This version is vegetarian with suitable pasta, and vegan only with egg-free pasta labelled vegan. The main ham recipe contains pork.
Recipe check
Quantities and method were checked editorially against cooking references. These are our own family versions; no practical cooking test has been carried out. Times are estimates; doneness and product instructions take precedence.
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