Shrimp and Pancetta Sausage Ravioli with Broccoli Rabe and Edamame or Fava Beans
Delicate and unusual, shrimp and pancetta combined into a sausage is an example of the delightful ways in which seafood and pork can glamorize each other, here in ravioli made easy to execute using store-bought wonton wrappers for the pasta. Edamame (fresh soybeans) and fava beans (broad beans), both Old World beans, can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Both are almost meaty and bright green, and provide similar vivid leguminous presence in dishes that employ them. However, practically speaking, edamame have the advantage because they are available already shelled in supermarket freezer sections in all seasons. Favas, in contrast, are mainly spring to early summer and fall fare, and they are a chore to prepare, requiring first shelling and then peeling each bean after immersing in boiling water for 1 or 2 minutes to loosen the bitter-tasting skins. (A side note: if you are using fava beans and purchasing them at a farmers’ market, you can probably also pick up some fava leaves. As our vegetable horizons expand more and more, they have become available and are quite tasty as a green for a soup such as this one or tossed into a salad.) Shrimp and pancetta sausage can also be made into small balls and dropped into a chicken or vegetable broth for a substantial appetizer or light first course. Or, you can use it to top small cooked and halved artichokes, then generously sprinkle the sausage with bread crumbs and briefly cook the sausage and brown the crumbs in a hot oven or under a broiler.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
Sausage
Ravioli
Preparation
Step 1
To make the sausage, place the shrimp and pancetta in a food processor and pulse to chop. Add the scallion, lemon zest, and salt and pulse briefly until blended but not pureed. Use right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to overnight.
Step 2
To make the ravioli, place 1 teaspoon of the sausage in the center of each wonton wrapper. Lightly brush the edges of the wrapper with water, and fold it over corner to corner to make a triangle. Press the edges together with a fork to seal. As the ravioli are made, transfer them to a plate. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside.
Step 3
Bring a medium saucepan filled with 1 1/2 inches of water to a boil over high heat. Add a pinch of salt and then the broccoli rabe and edamame. When the water returns to a boil, cook until the broccoli is barely wilted and still bright green, about 3 minutes. Lift out the vegetables with a slotted spoon and rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
Step 4
To cook the ravioli use the same pan of water and return it to a boil. Add as many ravioli as will fit without crowding and boil gently until they float to the top and plump up, about 3 minutes. Lift them out with a slotted spoon, shake to dry slightly, and transfer, still moist, to a platter. Set aside in a warm place and continue with another batch until all are cooked.
Step 5
Arrange the broccoli and edamame over and around the ravioli. Sprinkle the zest over the top and drizzle the olive oil over all. Serve right away.
