Sweet Ravioli - A Decadent Treat

The world of Italian food is full of delectable surprises. Savory sauces, hearty pasta, and creamy cheeses tempt the palate. A popular favorite is ravioli. This tiny package of pasta is stuffed with a myriad of inner delights. Some of the favorite choices include veal, cheese like Parmigiano and ricotta, spinach, pumpkin, and more.

The region of Emilia Romagna has become famous for this tiny treat alone, but many are surprised that the ravioli noodle does not have to be stuffed strictly with savory foods. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, why not plump up this pasta with sweet fillings like fruits or almonds and glaze it with icing sugar? Sweet ravioli makes a tempting dessert, and it is often enjoyed for the feast of San Giuseppe and Father's Day. The following recipe makes enough for about 6 people.

Fruit Filling

To create your own sweet ravioli, the recipe is quite easy to follow. First you will need to prepare the fruit filling. To start with, gather the following ingredients:

• 1/2 kg (about one pound) of peeled and cored cooking apples
• 75 grams (about 2.5 ounces) of peeled and cored pears
• 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) of dried prunes
• 25 grams (about an ounce) of almond flakes
• 50 grams (about 1.75 ounces) of sultanas
• 250 grams (about half a pound) of icing sugar
• Zest from one lemon
• 1 tsp. of red wine vinegar
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of mustard powder

Slice the apples and pears and cook on low heat in heavy bottom pan. Continue to cook until they break down. Then add in the remaining ingredients, along with a little bit of water to prevent burning. Simmer for half an hour, and then remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Sweet Pasta Dough

The next step in creating sweet ravioli is to make up the sweet pasta dough. First you will need to gather the following ingredients:

• 500 grams (about a pound) of plain flour
• 200 grams (about 7 ounces) of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 200 grams (about 7 ounces) of butter
• Zest of one lemon
• Pinch of salt
• Dried active yeast

You should start by sifting together the flour and sugar and then place on a cold, clean surface. Create a well in the middle to place the eggs. Beat the eggs together, and then add in the butter, lemon, salt, and yeast. Fold flour into this mix, continuing to fold together until you have a soft ball of pliable dough. Allow the dough to sit in a cool dry corner for an hour.

Assembly

Now that you have gotten everything ready, it is time to assemble the sweet ravioli. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough out into a thin sheet, and then using a pastry cutter cut out circles about 6 inches in diameter. Spoon the fruit mix onto the circle, and then fold over. Do not seal. Bake the ravioli on a non-stick tray until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.

Other Options

There are plenty of variations of sweet ravioli that you can try. Consider adding mascarpone cheese or other fruit fillings. Seasonal fruits can present a wide variety and be pleasing to the budget.