Homemade Agnolotti Pasta

Step 1

Prepare Pasta Dough: Sift flour onto clean counter top or large cutting board. Using fingertips, create large well in center of flour, so that counter top is visible.

Step 2

Crack eggs into the well. Using fork, slowly begin adding flour from sides of well into egg mixture, whisking as you go, until egg mixture is no longer runny.

Step 3

Using floured hands (or bench scraper), continue to incorporate flour into dough, just until you can squeeze the dough with your hand without it sticking. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it is very smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Divide dough in half, flatten into a disk using your palm, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and allow them to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Prepare Filling: Rinse torn swiss chard in a colander until all grit has been removed–don’t dry. Place rinsed swiss chard (along with whatever water is clinging to the leaves) in a large pot. Cover and bring to a light boil and along to steam until tender–5-6 minutes. Drain and allow to cool until it can be handled comfortably. Place the swiss chard in a clean kitchen towel or thick paper towels, and wring out any excess liquid. Chop finely. Set aside.

Step 6

Using a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallots and allow to cook until soft and translucent–roughly 3-4 minutes.

Step 7

Add the proscuitto and continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, before adding the chopped swiss chard. Saute for an additional 3-4 minutes, before removing from heat and allow to cool until lukewarm.

Step 8

In separate bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg yolk, swiss chard mixture, nutmeg, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Place in a large piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

Step 9

Assemble Agnolotti: Once dough has rested, add more flour if necessary (flour will absorb during resting). Divide each dough ball in half again and roll (at largest-width setting) each using an electric or manual pasta machine.

Step 10

Fold into an envelope (bring side into center, repeat with other side—open seams facing vertically into machine) and repeat at least five times until dough is very smooth and rolls evenly.

Step 11

Roll pasta dough to setting “5” on your pasta machine. Cut into 12″ sheets. Allow rolled dough to dry slightly at room temperature (hanging on a rack) until no longer tacky. Since you will need to assemble the agnolotti, avoid rolling too much pasta at once, as it may get too dry.

Step 12

Take one sheet at a time and place on a large clean counter top, dusted lightly with flour. Pipe a straight line (1/2″ in diameter), horizontally along the sheet of pasta. Brush the dough adjacent to the filling (on both sides) lightly with egg wash. Fold the pasta over the filling–removing any air bubbles. Press firmly to seal.

Step 13

Using a fluted wheel pasty cutter, cut the filled tube of pasta away from the rest of the sheet.

Step 14

Using your fingertips, press the pasta into equal-sized sections (roughly 1 inch wide), creating a firm seal between each piece. Using your finger, roll each piece away from your slightly and using the pastry cutter, quickly cut between the seals to form each agnolotti (do this step quickly, as it will help create a firm seal).

Step 15

Place the assembled agnolotti on a large baking sheet dusted lightly with coarse cornmeal or semolina.

Step 16

Repeat with remaining pasta sheets, until all agnolotti have been assembled. Pasta can be stored in the fridge overnight, cooked immediately, or frozen on the sheet tray until solid (before being transferred to a ziploc bag).

Step 17

Cook the agnolotti in boiling, salted water until al-dente.