If you are looking for a light, tasty & inexpensive filling for some summer ravioli, one Abruzzo classic stuffing is walnut & ricotta that will not just bring a wide smile to any vegetarians that you are having for dinner, but anyone (namely the world!) with a fixation for these plump little pillows.
Ravioli di Ricotta e Noci
Courtesy of Elisa DiVirgilio
Ingredients for the filling (6-8 people):
680g or 1.5 lb. Sheep Ricotta (if possible)
225g or 0.5 lb. Finely Crushed Walnuts
3 Eggs
225g or 0.5 lb. Grated Pecorino or Parmigiano
2 tsp. of Pesto Genovese
Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg according to personal taste
Mix all ingredients for the filling and let it rest in refrigerator for a few hours (it makes it easier to work with).
Ingredients for the Pasta Dough
905 g or 2 1b. Pasta Flour
8 Eggs
Salt
Ideally on a cold worksurface, make a volcano crater shape with your flour, add each egg into the crater wih a very small pinch of salt and work in work into the flour.
Once you have a dough, begin to knead it, until it is feels elastic and maleable.
Cover & leave to rest for 30 mins at room temperature covered.
Making your Ravioli
Lightly dust your worksurface and roll out your pasta dough until thin, approximately 1/8 inch (1/3 cm) thick and cut with either a cookie cutter or use a large glass to cut-out your ravioli shapes.
Take your bowl of filling out the fridge and scoop up 1 tablespoon of filling per raviolo.
Add the tablespoon into the middle of the pasta cut-out.
Moisten the outside of the pasta cut-out with water  and fold in half, pressing the outer edges together to help seal each raviolo.
Using the top of a fork press down on the outer lip of the raviolo to help seal & add a little decoration.
Sprinkle a little flour over each raw raviolo to stop them sticking together whilst waiting to be cooked.
Cooking your Ravioli
Bring to the boil a large pan of salted water.
Dust off the excess flour from your pasta and place in the boiling water.
When each raviolo floats to the surface it means that they are done – approximately 5 minutes.
Once cooked, drain and place on a platter and season with a combination of butter, finely chopped sage and a sprinkling of pecorino cheese.

Author: Elisa Di Virgilio

Elisa DiVirgilio was born in Casalbordino, Abruzzo & immigrated to the US with her family age 12 but maintains close ties with the region. Wife, mother of 2, grandmother of 2, officially retired she is owner of Elisa's Custom Creations & measures her success by her family's happiness. Gardening is her other creative outlet.