Ham and Spring Vegetable Frittata

Frittatas are like pizzas—with eggs added: a multitude of possible ingredients (meat or meatless), and with as few or as many as you can stuff on or in it. For both dishes, I think simple and few bring the best results.

Here, the frittata is a little celebration of spring with some seasonal favorites—leek, asparagus, peas, and chard—fresh mint, and a little moist, sweet, brine-cured ham. Get everything chopped up, whisk the eggs, grab the cheese, and you’ll have dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.

Note: I used mild, creamy, slightly nutty Jarlsberg, a light-yellow Norwegian cheese that was coarsely shredded. Shredded provolone or Swiss would be good too.

Coarsely Shredded Jarlsberg

You may also like Corn and Summer Squash Frittata, Greek-Style Frittata with Goat Cheese and Feta, or Mushroom, Scallion, and Green Bean Frittata.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 8 large eggs
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 12-oz brine-cured ham steak (“city” ham), trimmed and small-diced
• 1 medium leek (white and light green parts only), halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
• 4 oz asparagus, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 2 oz snow peas, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 3 cups chopped rainbow chard
• 3/4 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese
• chopped fresh mint, for garnish

Ham Steak 

Diced Ham

Frittata Vegetables 

Prepared Vegetables

Preparation

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Whisk until well blended.
3. Heat a 12-inch, nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the ham and leek cook until the ham is slightly browned and the leek is tender, 7-8 minutes.
4. Add the asparagus, snow peas, and chard and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 5-6 minutes.

Whisked Eggs 

Ham and Leek Beginning to Cook 

Cooked Ham and Leek 

Asparagus Mixture Added

Cooked Mixture

1. Increase the heat to medium-high and pour the whisked egg mixture over the skillet ingredients. Tilt the skillet gently in a circular motion to allow the eggs to cover the ham and vegetables in an even layer. (Some ingredients will still be visible above the eggs.)
2. Cook until the bottom and sides of the frittata are nearly set and the top is still runny but beginning to set along the edges, about 3 minutes.
3. Scatter the cheese on top and transfer the skillet to the broiler. Broil until the top is set and begins to brown, 3-4 minutes, depending on your broiler. Remove and garnish with chopped mint. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Eggs Beginning to Set 

Ready to Broil

Broiled Frittata

Cut the frittata into 4 large or 6 smaller wedges. Serve warm.

Ham and Spring Vegetable Frittata