Ingredients

6 ounces penne or other tubular pasta

1 1/2 pounds Swiss chard

1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

1 small onion

2 teaspoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Preparation

Fill a 4-quart kettle three-fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for pasta.

Chop Swiss chard into 1/4-inch-wide pieces and finely chop separately red pepper flakes and onion. In a 12-inch heavy skillet cook onion in butter over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add Swiss chard and cook, stirring, 15 minutes, or until tender.

While Swiss chard mixture is cooking, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente and drain in a colander. Add pasta to Swiss chard mixture with red pepper flakes, cream, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and stir in Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste.