Squash Ravioli with Sherried Onion Sauce, Walnuts & Cranberries

My sous chef Michelle Giroux developed this delicious dish as a vegetarian entree for our menu, but it would also make an elegant Thanksgiving starter. We make our own pasta dough, but wonton wrappers (or "pasta wraps"), found in the grocery produce section, give excellent results and are quick and easy to work with.


Squash Ravioli with Sherried Onion Sauce, Walnuts & Cranberries


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Servings: Yields about 40 ravioli
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Ingredients
 
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For the filling:
  • 1  large  or 2 small butternut squash or 1/2 cheese pumpkin (2-1/2 pounds total), to yield 2-1/2 cups cooked pureeOn Sale
  • 5 to 6  tablespoons  unsalted butter, softenedOn Sale
  • 1/3  cup  maple syrup or 2 tablespoons brown sugarOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  orange juiceOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  ricottaOn Sale
  • 1/3  cup  grated Parmigiano-ReggianoOn Sale
  •     Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepperOn Sale
For the sauce:
  • 2  large  onions (14 to 16 ounces total), thinly slicedOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  unsalted butter; more if neededOn Sale
  • 1/3  cup  dry sherryOn Sale
  • 1-1/2  cups  heavy creamOn Sale
  • 1-1/2  cups  homemade or low-salt chicken or vegetable broth (or a total of 3 cups broth if not using cream)On Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  finely chopped fresh sageOn Sale
To assemble the ravioli:
  •     Cornmeal for dustingOn Sale
  • 80    wonton wrappers ("pasta wraps")On Sale
  • 2    eggs mixed with a dash of waterOn Sale
For the garnish:
  • 1/2  cup  finely chopped toasted walnutsOn Sale
  • 1/2  cup  finely chopped dried cranberriesOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh chivesOn Sale
  • 3  ounces  Parmigiano-Reggiano, shaved with a vegetable peeler into shardsOn Sale

Directions
1.
Make the filling: Follow the master method for roasting squash using the amounts for the squash, butter, maple syrup, and orange juice above. After peeling the cooked squash, put the flesh and any juices from roasting into a large heavy-based saute pan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes, to further dry out the mixture and intensify the flavor. To smooth out the squash somewhat, break up lumps with a spatula, a potato masher, or the back of a wooden spoon. Put the squash in a bowl and set aside until cool. When cooled, mix in the ricotta and grated Parmigiano and season with salt and pepper. The mixture can be made a day ahead, covered, and refrigerated.
2.
Make the sauce: Saute the onions in 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat until very soft and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the sherry to deglaze, raise the heat to medium high, and cook until all the liquid is evaporated. Add the cream and broth (or all broth, if you prefer) and the chopped sage, and reduce by half or until the sauce is the consistency you like. You'll have 2 to 2-1/2 cups sauce. Season with salt and pepper. If using broth only, whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons butter at the end to give the sauce a bit of body. (If making the sauce ahead, reserve the butter until reheating. If using cream, reheat the sauce very gently.)
3.
Assemble the ravioli: Lightly dust your work surface with cornmeal, lay out the wonton wrappers (10 to 12 at a time) and brush half of them with egg wash. Place 1 scant tablespoon of the squash filling in the center of each piece of egg-washed pasta and flatten slightly (a pastry bag works well here). Quickly and gently cover each with a second wrapper (without egg wash) and with the tips of your fingers, press tightly around each mound and out towards the edges of the pasta to create a tight seal. (Start pressing around the filling first to avoid creating air pockets). If you like, trim the ravioli with a cookie cutter or knife. (Alternatively, if using homemade pasta sheets, space the filling 3 inches apart on first sheet, cover, seal, and crimp as desired). Arrange the filled ravioli in a single layer on a sheet pan lightly dusted with cornmeal. Cover and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
4.
Cook and serve the ravioli: Warm the sauce and have the garnishes ready. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add a touch of olive oil, and drop in 4 to 6 ravioli at a time. When they rise to the surface, boil for 4 minutes and then remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a strainer (or a cooling rack set over a pan) to drain. Arrange 3 or 4 ravioli on a large plate for an appetizer (6 for a dinner portion), cover lightly with the sauce (about 1 tablespoon per ravioli), and sprinkle with the walnuts, cranberries, and chives. Add a few shards of Parmigiano and serve.

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