Country Ham Carbonara

A hearty but not heavy dish is the key to this savory Italian dish of Carbonara with rustic ham. Serve this pasta from one dish at a time to give it the best flavor.
Cook the pasta as directed on the package; drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of hot pasta water.Saute the ham in the preheated oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes or until crisp. Remove the ham, leaving the drippings in the pan. Dry on paper towels.Saute the shallots in the hot sauce for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; simmer for 1 minute. Add the remaining pasta water to the shallots and garlic; bring to a boil. Add the hot pasta and remove from the heat. Add the egg yolks, one at a time.Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes or until creamy. Remove from the heat; add the cooked ham, parmesan cheese, and other ingredients. If desired, sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.