Sweet potato ravioli

/5

PRESENTATION

One of the most amazing characteristics of ravioli is their versatility. In each season, there are so many variables with different vegetables, cheese, meats and even fish. These sweet potato filling with hints of pumpkin spice are for sure a fall favorite. The brown butter sauce adds a very distinct nutty flavor that pairs very well with the sweetness of the filling. Let's start by making the pasta dough!

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INGREDIENTS

For filling
Sweet potatoes (or yams) 2 lbs (910 g)
Ricotta cheese ½ cup (120 g)
Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese ¾ cup (70 g)
Spices 1 tsp - pumpkin
Oregano 1 tsp
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
For pasta dough
Flour 00 4 cups (500 g)
Eggs 6
For sprinkling and brushing
Remilled durum wheat semolina - as needed, for pastry board
Eggs 1
For seasoning
Butter 1 stick (115 g)
Sage 4 leaves
Pecans 1 cup (150 g) - crushed
Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese ¼ cup (20 g)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

How to prepare the filling

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, brush with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.

Place cut side down on a baking sheet and roast until tender, about 50 minutes.

Cool, then scoop the pulp out of the potato skins and into a small bowl. Discard the skins.

Add the ricotta, pumpkin spice, oregano and Parmigiano. Set aside.

How to prepare and roll out pasta dough

Place the flour on the counter or in a large bowl and make a well in the center.

Add the eggs in the middle of the well and gradually mix the flour into the eggs, forming a smooth-soft dough (adding additional water if necessary to make the dough soft).

Knead the dough 10 minutes, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and rest on the counter top, at room temperature for 1 hour.

Set up the pasta machine and roll the pasta through the machine, from the thickest setting to the thinnest.

How to assemble ravioli

Lay the dough out on a floured work surface with semolina flour and use a 3-inch round cookie or ravioli cutter to cut out as many circles as you can.

Have a small bowl available with 1 whisked egg and gently brush the outside circumference of the circle.

Using a pastry bag (or tablespoon), place 1 tablespoon of the desired filling in the center of the circle that is wet and place another circle on top of the filling.

Work your way around the ravioli, patting the two circles together to work out any air pockets.

Place the ravioli in a single layer on a baking sheet dusted with semolina while you finish with the remaining circles.

How to prepare the sauce

Add the butter and the sage in a large sauté pan over medium heat and brown slightly, about 3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Working in batches, cook the ravioli in a pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 4–5 minutes if fresh.

Add the ravioli to the pan with the brown butter sauce and toss to coat.

Transfer to plates, drizzling any remaining sauce from the pan over the ravioli. Sprinkle each dish with the remaining Parmigiano and top with the crushed pecans. Serve immediately.

How to store

Ravioli are best when boiled right away and then tossed in the sauce, but raviolis store very well in the freezer. You can make a big batch ahead of time and freeze what you don’t need right away. Once ready to eat, just remember they will take a bit more time to cook in boiling water.

Advice

This recipe works great with butternut squash as well.

It is always much better to roast a vegetable for a filling instead of boiling because cooking in water could make the filling very runny.