Ingredients
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces short pasta, such as mezzi rigatoni, cavatappi, or gemelli
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 head fennel, thinly sliced (1 1/2 cups), fronds reserved
2 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 3 ears)
3 chipotles in adobo, seeded and chopped (1 tablespoon), plus 2 tablespoons sauce
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/3 cup heavy cream
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until slightly less than al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add fennel, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add corn and chipotles with sauce and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Add shrimp; cook until just beginning to curl but not completely cooked, about 1 1/2 minutes.
Add pasta, reserved pasta water, and cream. Cook, stirring and shaking pan until pasta and shrimp are cooked through and a creamy sauce forms, 1 to 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and serve, garnished with fennel fronds.
