Butternut Squash Cappellacci with Sage Brown Butter

Ingredients for Butternut Squash Cappellacci with Sage Brown Butter

• Pasta dough

• 450g butternut squash, halved and seeds discarded

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 45ml grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

• 1/8 teaspoons grated nutmeg

• 1 tablespoon fine dry bread crumbs

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped sage

• 1/4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

• Equipment: a pasta machine

How to make Butternut Squash Cappellacci with Sage Brown Butter

Preheat oven to 218°C with rack in middle.

Brush cut sides of squash with oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoons each of salt and pepper (total). Roast in a shallow baking pan until golden brown and tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then use a spoon to scoop out flesh, transferring it to a medium bowl and discarding rind. Stir in cheese, nutmeg, bread crumbs, and salt and pepper to taste.

Quarter dough. Cover 3 pieces with plastic wrap. Pat out remaining piece into a flat rectangle; dust with flour.

Set rollers of pasta machine on widest setting. Feed rectangle, a short side first, through rollers. Fold rectangle in thirds, like a letter, and feed it, a short side first, through rollers. Repeat 6 or 7 more times, folding dough in thirds and feeding it through rollers, a short side first each time, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.

Turn dial to next (narrower) setting and feed dough through rollers without folding, a short side first. Continue to feed dough through without folding, making space between rollers narrower each time, until the second- or third-narrowest setting is used. (Do not roll too thin or pasta will tear when filled.)

Put pasta sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut into 3-inch squares. Place a rounded teaspoon of filling in centre of each square, then lightly moisten edges of square with water and fold in half to form a triangle, pressing down firmly but gently around filling to seal and forcing out any air. Bring 2 opposite corners together, overlapping ends, to make a small ring, then press them together. Transfer to a lightly floured kitchen towel (not terry cloth). Make more cappellacci with remaining pieces of dough and remaining filling, transferring to kitchen towel.

Cook cappellacci in a pasta pot of simmering salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 3.8L water) until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes. Gently drain pasta.

Meanwhile, heat butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat, swirling, until golden brown, then cook sage, stirring, until sage is crisp and butter is deep golden brown. Stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve cappellacci with sauce.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.