Chef At Hand

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash (4lbs / 1.8 kg or so), yielding 8-10 cups of 3/4-inch cubes
• 300 grams thinly sliced fine-quality Serrano ham from Spain (or prosciutto)
• 1 large white or yellow onion, yielding 1-2 cups of fine dice
• 6 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 cup ( 4 T or 62 ml) excellent quality extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
• handful of fresh thyme sprigs
• juice and rind of one large organic lemon
• four large pinches of chili flakes (scant teaspoon)
• 1.5 lbs (900 gr) pappardelle pasta - fresh or dried
• aged parmigiano reggiano, to shave for garnish
• salt to taste (adjsut according to saltiness of the ham)