How to cook casoncelli

If you are a fan of Italian cuisine, then you must have heard of casoncelli. This delightful dish hails from the Lombardy region of Italy and offers a burst of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Casoncelli is a type of stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli, but with a unique twist. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to cook casoncelli from scratch.

First and foremost, let’s gather the ingredients for the pasta dough. You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and knead until you have a smooth and elastic dough. If the dough feels too dry, you can add a little water, and if it’s too wet, simply add more flour. Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

While the dough is resting, it’s time to prepare the filling for the casoncelli. Traditionally, casoncelli can be filled with various ingredients such as pumpkin, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. However, for this recipe, we will be making a delicious meat filling. You will need 1/2 pound of ground pork, 1/2 pound of ground beef, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.

Now it’s time to roll out the pasta dough. Divide the dough into small portions and lightly flour your work surface. Roll out each portion into a thin sheet using a rolling pin or a pasta machine. The sheets should be around 1/8 inch thick. Cut the dough into small squares, about 2-3 inches in size.

Next, it’s time to assemble the casoncelli. Place a small spoonful of the meat filling onto one half of each square of dough. Fold the dough over the filling to create a triangle. Press the edges firmly to seal the casoncelli. You can use a fork to create a decorative edge.

Once you have assembled all the casoncelli, it’s time to cook them. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently drop the casoncelli into the boiling water and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until they float to the surface. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot as it might cause the casoncelli to stick together.

While the casoncelli are cooking, you can prepare a delicious sauce to complement the dish. A simple butter and sage sauce works wonderfully with casoncelli. Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add a handful of fresh sage leaves and cook until the butter turns golden brown. Remove from heat.

Once the casoncelli are cooked, carefully drain them and transfer them to a serving dish. Drizzle the butter and sage sauce over the casoncelli and sprinkle with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors in each bite.

In conclusion, cooking casoncelli might require a bit of effort, but the end result is well worth it. The combination of delicate pasta and flavorful filling makes this dish a true Italian delicacy. So, channel your inner Italian chef, gather the ingredients, and get ready to impress your taste buds with the mouthwatering taste of casoncelli. Buon appetito!