Agnolotti Di Zucca Recipe
Nick Anderer, executive chef at Maialino, Danny Meyer's Roman-style trattoria in the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC, recently joined the long list of masters to teach a class at De Gustibus at Macy's Herald Square. Anderer showcased dishes from his menu, including this Agnolotti di Zucca recipe, which puts seasonal squash (or when not available, store-bought pumpkin puree) to use in a ravioli-like pasta pillow. While it's not easy to make — especially if you don't have a KitchenAid with a pasta roller attachment — it's a fun dish to try at home if you have skills and some curiosity.
In the De Gustibus class, where students watch a chef prepare a dish in a kitchen outfitted with mirrors to showcase technique, Anderer did a step-by-step take on how to make the squash puree and turn the fresh pasta sheets into rows of mini raviolis. Then he made the butter-sage sauce. Then De Gustibus' team served samples to each attendee, and a hush fell over the classroom; we think we may have even heard someone bite into a toasted sage leaf.
For a complete fall schedule and to sign up for upcoming classes visit the De Gustibus site.
- 42 ounces Delicata squash
- 14 ounces ricotta
- 1.5 ounces grated pecorino romano (preferably fulvi)
- 1 teaspoon ground chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups '00' flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 14 yolks
- 1 - 2 teaspoons water
- 1 large pot of salted
- 20 small sage leaves
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lemon
- 1 ounce pasta cooking water
- Grated pecorino romano (fulvi) to taste
- 2 teaspoons aceto tradizionale balsamic vinegar
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with a spatula until all the ricotta is fully incorporated.
- Transfer to a piping bag and set aside in the refrigerator.
- In a KitchenAid or motorized mixer, use the paddle attachment to combine all the ingredients – start on the lowest speed and slowly increase as the flour and yolks begin to incorporate.
- Mix for several minutes or until the dough begins to cleanly pull away from the sides of the bowl – remove and knead by hand for 3 minutes – wrap in plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour to rest.
- Using a mechanized pasta roller (kitchen aid has an attachment), roll the pasta until you can see your hand through the dough.
- Using a piping bag, form one long tube of filling along the length of the dough – lightly brush with a moistened brush – fold over the dough and use your fingers to pinch off sections of filling.
- Using a ruffled cutter, cut out the agnolotti.
- Place a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add butter and sage – the butter should sizzle with sage and begin to turn brown.
- Once it becomes dark brown, remove from heat for 30 seconds and carefully (away from any flame) add the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon to the butter – it will sizzle aggressively and stop browning.
- Add 40 pieces of ravioli to the water and cook for 1 minute.
- Remove ravioli and 4 tablespoons water from the pot – add to the sautee pan and simmer together for 1 minute. Sprinkle with pecorino and serve, garnishing with a light drizzle of aceto tradizionale.