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Deep ceramic bowl of Basilicata lagane e ceci, flat pasta ribbons in thick chickpea broth with olive oil and rosemary

Basilicata Lagane e Ceci (Fresh Pasta with Chickpeas)

Hand-rolled pasta ribbons cooked in a chickpea broth with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil, in the tradition of Basilicata cucina povera.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Lagane pasta dough
  • 300 g tipo 00 flour plus extra for dusting
  • 145 ml warm water add gradually
  • 1 tsp fine salt
Chickpea base
  • 250 g dried chickpeas soaked in cold water for 12 hours, then drained
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 3 garlic cloves sliced thin
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 small dried peperoncino or 1/4 tsp chili flakes
  • 1.2 liters cold water for cooking the chickpeas
  • 1 tsp fine salt added after chickpeas are tender
  • to taste black pepper

Method
 

Make the lagane dough
  1. Pour the flour onto a clean work surface or into a large bowl, add the salt, and make a well in the center.
  2. Add the warm water gradually, working the flour in from the edges until a rough dough forms.
  3. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and firm, not sticky. Wrap in plastic and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  4. Dust the work surface with flour. Roll the dough out to about 3 mm thickness.
  5. Cut into ribbons roughly 2 cm wide and 15 to 20 cm long. Dust with flour and set aside in loose nests.
Cook the chickpeas
  1. Put the soaked, drained chickpeas in a medium pot and cover with 1.2 liters of cold water.
  2. Bring to a boil, skim any foam, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for 60 to 75 minutes until the chickpeas are fully tender but still hold their shape.
  3. Season with 1 tsp salt only once the chickpeas are tender. Set aside with their cooking water.
Build the base and finish the dish
  1. In a wide, deep pan, warm 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, rosemary sprig, and peperoncino. Cook for 2 minutes until the garlic is pale golden and fragrant.
  2. Add the cooked chickpeas and all their cooking liquid to the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Crush about a quarter of the chickpeas against the side of the pan with the back of a spoon to thicken the broth.
  4. Add the lagane ribbons directly into the chickpea broth. Stir gently so they separate.
  5. Simmer over low heat for 10 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the broth has thickened. Remove the rosemary sprig.
  6. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.
  7. Ladle into deep bowls, drizzle with the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil, and finish with black pepper.

Notes

If the broth reduces too much before the pasta is cooked, add a small splash of hot water and stir gently. The final consistency should be thick and spoonable, not soupy.