This is a great dish to serve as part of an autumn feast. Although making your own raviolis sounds daunting, it isn’t that bad. If you have a pasta machine, it’s really easy. If not, make sure to roll the dough thin enough or your raviolis will be tough and chewy, like mine were when my arms got tired of the rolling pin.
Ingredients
One small to medium butternut squash, halved and seeded
9 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons finely minced shallots
1 teaspoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan, plus 1/2 cup for garnish
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash cinnamon
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
One recipe pasta dough
Ten fresh sage leaves
2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley leaves
2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted walnut pieces
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F. Place butternut squash, cut side down, in roasting pan and cook until soft, about one hour. After squash has cooled, scrape out flesh and mash with a fork or food processor. If squash is watery, strain with a cheesecloth, or spread on a baking sheet and bake in oven for five to ten minutes. Set aside
Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large sauté pan. Add the shallots and sauté for one to two minutes. Add brown sugar and squash puree, and cook for an additional three to four minutes over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in mascarpone, 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Salt and pepper to taste.
Make pasta according to directions. Divide dough in two equal parts. On a floured surface, roll out one section into a long rectangle, about a foot long and half a foot wide. Roll it as thin as you can get, about as thin as a dime. (If you are using a pasta maker, follow manufacturer’s directions). Spoon filling by the tablespoon onto the dough, leaving half-inch margins between fillings. Roll out the other half of the dough as above. Place over first rectangle. Gently press in between filling to seal the raviolis and press out any air bubbles. Cut excess dough from the sides to square the raviolis. Cut in between to make individual squares.
