Ingredients
Method
Make the Pork and Parmigiano Filling
- Melt the butter in a 26 cm / 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the pork loin and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until the pork reaches 160 F / 71 C internally and flakes easily with a fork. Let it cool completely.
- Finely chop the cooled pork with the prosciutto and mortadella by hand or in short pulses in a food processor, until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs, not a paste.
- Transfer to a bowl and mix in the parmigiano, the filling egg, nutmeg, lemon zest, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Cover and chill for 30 minutes so it firms up.
Make and Rest the Dough
- Mound the flour on a board or in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Crack in the 3 dough eggs and mix with a fork, gradually pulling in flour from the sides.
- Knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and springs back when pressed. Wrap in plastic and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Shape the Cappelletti
- Roll the dough into thin sheets, about 1 mm thick, using a pasta machine or rolling pin. Keep unused dough covered so it doesn't dry out.
- Cut the sheets into 4 cm squares with a knife or pastry cutter.
- Place 1/2 tsp of filling in the center of each square. Fold into a triangle and press the edges to seal, then wrap the triangle around your fingertip and pinch the two points together to form the cappelletto ring.
- Arrange the shaped cappelletti in a single layer on a floured tray as you go, without stacking, so they don't stick together.
Cook and Serve
- Bring the broth to a gentle simmer in a 6-quart / 5.5 L stockpot.
- Slide the cappelletti into the simmering broth in batches so the pot isn't crowded. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they float and the pasta is tender at the edges but still holds its shape.
- Ladle the broth and cappelletti into bowls, top with grated parmigiano, and serve right away.
Notes
- Cook the pork loin until it flakes easily, about 160 F / 71 C internal, before chopping.
- Rest the dough 30 minutes before rolling to prevent shrinking.
- Seal every cappelletto firmly, loose seams open in the broth.
- Freeze extra cappelletti uncooked rather than storing them cooked.
