Pearl Onions & Vodka Cream Sauce With Penne - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb penne
10 ounces white pearl onions, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced (more or less, to taste)
1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes or 4 drops Tabasco sauce, to taste
1/2 cup vodka
16 ounces chopped tomatoes (preferably organic)
1 cup cream (or half and half)
salt
ground pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 of a cup of chopped cooked ham (optional)

Preparation

Cook dry penne in a large pot until al dente.
Halve onions and saute in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes over medium heat. When onions are translucent, add vodka and cook over moderately-high heat for 4 minutes.
Add tomatoes and cook to reduce liquid about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add cream. Let simmer for about 5 minutes, then mix in cooked penne.
Sprinkle Parmesan over top and serve immediately.