Pasta & Pea Soup

I am working on a professional certification for my regular job and my second assignment in this term's class is a paper. I object. Assignment two SHOULD be the complete viewing of Mad Men, season one.  Mad Men is best served with soup. Perhaps soup making should be assignment three. Soup and Mad Men it is!

Adapted from http://www.theparsleythief.com

Serves 6

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 oz prosciutto, coarsely chopped
• 2 T butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, smashed
• 12 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup pastina (if you can't find this tiny star-shaped pasta, I used orzo)
• 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen peas
• pinch of allspice
• 1/2 cup diced carrot
• 1/2 cup diced fennel
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
• kosher salt and ground pepper to taste
• parmesan cheese for garnish

Add the prosciutto, butter, onion, garlic & basil to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until all the ingredients are finely chopped. This mixture is called a battuto and can be used as a soup or sauce base for any number of recipes. Heat a large, heavy pot over medium heat & add the battuto. Cook, stirring occasionally, until everything gets soft, about 8-10 minutes. 
Pour in the chicken stock & bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer & stir in the pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, or until the pasta is about half done. Add the peas, carrots & fennel. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables & pasta are just tender. Season the soup with a generous amount of kosher salt {or, to taste} & some freshly ground black pepper. 
Serve the soup with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.