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Close overhead view of half-moon schlutzkrapfen glazed in browned butter, chives, and grana padano on a ceramic plate.

Schlutzkrapfen Altoatesini with Spinach and Ricotta

Half-moon pasta pockets with a rye-wheat dough, filled with spinach and ricotta, and tossed in browned butter and chives.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course (Pasta)
Cuisine: Italian (Northern Italy)
Calories: 575

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 250 g 00 flour
  • 50 g rye flour
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 water to 2 tbsp; as needed
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Filling
  • 250 g fresh spinach or 150 g frozen, thawed
  • 250 g ricotta well drained
  • 40 g grana padano, grated plus 20 g for serving
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 pinch nutmeg freshly grated
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Butter Sauce
  • 60 g butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. Mound the 00 flour, rye flour, and salt on a work surface or in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and olive oil.
  2. Mix with a fork, gradually pulling in flour from the edges, then knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add water a teaspoon at a time if it feels dry.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Make the Filling
  1. Wilt the spinach in a dry 24 cm / 9.5-inch skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until fully collapsed. Cool, then squeeze it hard in a kitchen towel to remove as much water as possible, and chop fine.
  2. Stir the chopped spinach into the drained ricotta with the egg yolk, 40 g grana padano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
Shape the Schlutzkrapfen
  1. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface, or through a pasta machine, to about 2 mm thick. Cut into rounds with an 8 cm / 3-inch cutter.
  2. Spoon about 1 tsp of filling onto the center of each round. Fold in half to form a half-moon, pressing out any air before sealing the edge firmly with your fingertip or a fork. You should get about 24 to 28 pieces.
Cook and Serve
  1. Bring a 6-quart / 5.7 L stockpot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the schlutzkrapfen in two batches so they have room to float freely, 3 to 4 minutes per batch, until they rise to the surface and the dough is tender at the edges.
  2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a clean 24 cm / 9.5-inch skillet over medium heat, swirling often, until it turns amber and smells nutty, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Lift the cooked schlutzkrapfen straight into the browned butter with a slotted spoon and toss gently to coat.
  4. Plate immediately, spooning extra butter over the top. Scatter with chives and the remaining grana padano, and serve right away.

Notes

  • Drain ricotta at least 20 minutes before mixing the filling.
  • Rest the dough a full 30 minutes, it rolls out much easier.
  • Cook in two batches so the pasta has room to float freely.
  • Watch the butter closely once it starts foaming, it browns fast.
  • Extra filling keeps in the fridge for 2 days if dough runs short.