Il Cucinologo
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Ravioli with Radicchio and Speck

17/11/2023

Radicchio and speck ravioli are a flavorful dish that combines the slightly bitter sweetness of radicchio with the savoriness of speck. Here’s how to prepare them.

Ingredients

For the pasta:

  • 300 g of 00 flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 200 g of ricotta
  • 100 g of red radicchio
  • 100 g of speck cut into cubes
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan
  • Salt
  • Pepper

For the sauce:

  • Butter to taste
  • Sage leaves
  • Grated Parmesan to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the egg pasta: create a well with the flour on a work surface, add the eggs and the pinch of salt in the center and begin kneading until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough. Let the dough ball rest wrapped in plastic wrap for 30 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, prepare the filling: finely chop the radicchio and wilt it in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt. Once lukewarm, squeeze it to remove excess water.

  3. Mix the ricotta with the radicchio, speck, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

  4. Roll out the pasta using a pasta machine or a rolling pin, until you get a thin sheet. Cut out circles or squares of pasta and place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each.

  5. Close the ravioli by sealing the edges well and making sure no air gets in: you can use a little water to make the edges stick better.

  6. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ravioli for about 4-5 minutes, until they float to the surface.

  7. While the ravioli are cooking, melt some butter in a pan and add a few sage leaves to flavor it.

  8. Drain the ravioli with a slotted spoon and transfer them to the pan with the melted butter and sage. Toss briefly to coat them with flavor.

  9. Serve the ravioli hot, topped with an additional sprinkle of grated Parmesan.

Fun Facts

Radicchio is a typically Venetian ingredient and pairs well with northern Italian cuisine. Combined with speck, which is a specialty from South Tyrol, these ravioli represent a delicious encounter of flavors from northeastern Italy. Additionally, radicchio, if caramelized with a pinch of sugar during cooking, can add a sweet note that contrasts magnificently with the saltiness of speck.