Pasta alla Zozzona

To Prepare the Sauce

1. Pour the canned tomatoes into a bowl and gently press to break them down using a fork.
2. Remove the skin from the guanciale with a knife, but leave the fat.
3. Cut the guanciale into thin strips, then into bite-size pieces.
4. Make a shallow cut in the Italian sausage, then peel off the skin. Press the sausage meat flat with the side/tip of the knife and break it into smaller pieces.
5. Put three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in the frying pan. Add diced onion and cook for up to 7 minutes on medium heat (less if it starts to brown too much).
6. When the onion turns golden brown, add the guanciale, and once this is crispy add Italian sausage. Stir continuously making sure it is cooked all over.
7. Add some more extra virgin olive oil and allow it to cook through.
8. When sausage becomes greyish brown, add peeled tomatoes. Stir gently and cook for 15 minutes on medium-low heat.
9. Add a touch of salt and press down on the tomatoes to release the juice. Leave to cook for 15 more minutes.

To Cook the pasta

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous tablespoon of sea salt.
2. Add rigatoni to the boiling water and cook for 13 minutes, (or follow packet instructions to ensure they’re al dente).
3. Stir pasta occasionally and once ready, scoop up a mug full of pasta water.

Make the Carbonara Sauce

1. Separate the egg white and the yolk then whisk egg yolks in a bowl.
2. Add 4 generous tablespoons of Pecorino Romano. Mix the egg yolks and cheese with a fork until it thickens then add black pepper.
3. Mix a small amount of hot pasta water into the mix. The sauce should become a little runny, and the hot water should cook the egg yolks slightly.
4. Sprinkle fresh basil into the sauce, stir gently then add the pasta and Pecorino cheese.
5. Stir and toss until it becomes a pinkish color then add more Pecorino, and sprinkle black pepper on top.