Spring Veggie Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• Handful of combination of broccolini, fresh peas and chopped asparagus 
• 1 pound of fettuccine pasta or other pasta
• ½ cup unsalted butter 
• ½ cup pasta water
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan-Reggiano
• Freshly ground pepper
• Zest from 1 lemon

Instructions

1. 1
   Prep an ice bath for the veggies. I like to combine a few handfuls of ice and about 2 cups of water. 
2. 2
   Bring a pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Drop the veggies into the water and cook for about 1 minute, until very bright in color. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the ice bath. From the ice bath, place them onto a bed of clean kitchen towels. 
3. 3
   Bring the salted water back up to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the ½ cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta. 
4. 4
   To a medium pot (you could even use the one you just cooked the pasta in), add the butter, pasta water and heavy cream. Turn the heat to medium, and warm until the butter has melted. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan-Reggiano, a few pinches of salt, about 10 rounds of black pepper and zest from 1 lemon. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pasta and toss in the sauce. Next, add the reserved veggies and toss one last time. Give it a taste and add salt according to taste. 
5. 5
   To serve, divide amongst plates and top with more Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.