Bagnacavallo’s San Michele Dry Cappelletti: A Romagna Culinary Tradition

The historic heart of Bagnacavallo, dating back to the Middle Ages, is a treasure trove of architectural wonders. Many of its primarily 18th-century palazzos still boast magnificent frescoes and tempera paintings. However, a visit to this charming Romagnolo village isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it’s a true delight for the palate. This is particularly evident during the San Michele Festival, a fall culinary celebration beloved by food enthusiasts. This article presents a recipe for the festival’s star attraction: San Michele dry cappelletti, a registered recipe of Bagnacavallo’s Pro Loco since 2012. A unique twist on the classic Ravennate cappelletto, this version eschews the traditional broth, instead featuring a rich, slow-simmered ragù, perfected over generations by local cooks.

Ingredients for the pasta: 300g wheat flour, 300g aged grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 6 eggs, nutmeg to taste.

Broth ingredients: half a capon (or 1/4 of a capon/hen), a piece of beef, a marrow-rich beef bone, one golden onion, one celery stalk, one carrot, a few cherry tomatoes, coarse salt to taste, extra virgin olive oil to taste.

Ragù ingredients: 50g Romagna shallot, 50g onion, 50g celery, 50g carrot, one glass of Bursò wine, 150g rolled pancetta, 200g pork mince, 200g adult bovine mince, tomato passata to taste, salt to taste.

The most intricate step is crafting the cappelletti. After rolling out the pasta dough, cut into small squares and carefully wrap around the filling, pinching the ends securely to prevent them from opening during cooking. Simultaneously prepare the broth and start the ragù soffritto. Add the minced meats to the ragù pot, deglazing with wine. Dice the pancetta and add once the wine has reduced. Stir in the tomato passata. Add a ladleful of broth whenever the ragù appears dry. After several hours of gentle simmering and stirring, the ragù will be ready. Finally, cook the cappelletti, toss with the ragù, and savor the delicious result!