SERVES 6 – 8

Carol Field got this unusual recipe from nonna Gianna Modotti in Italy's Slavic-flavored Friuli region. Although usually a first course, it can be served as dessert.

FOR THE PASTA:
2 1/2 cups flour
Salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp. milk (optional)

FOR THE RAVIOLI:
3–4 pitted prunes
3–4 dried figs
1/3 cups fresh ricotta, drained
4 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. sugar
3 tbsp. smoked ricotta or mozzarella, grated

1. To make the pasta, combine flour with a pinch of salt in a large bowl and mix well. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the eggs. Using a fork, gradually mix the flour mixture into the eggs. If dough is too dry, add milk. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes, then gather it into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2. To make the filling, place prunes and figs in a small saucepan. Add red wine and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat until fruit softens, about 10 minutes. Drain and coarsely chop fruit.

3. Press ricotta through a sieve into a medium bowl. Add chopped fruit and mix well.

4. To make the ravioli, divide dough into 4 balls. Using a pasta machine, roll each ball into a thin sheet. Place one sheet (keeping remaining sheets covered with plastic wrap) on a floured surface, then dot dough with filling, 1 tsp. at a time, at 1 1/2'' intervals. (You should have 2 rows of 6.) Moisten the area around each mound of filling with water, then lay a second sheet of dough over the first, pressing to seal between pockets of filling. Using a sharp knife or ravioli cutter, cut filled pasta into 12 ravioli. Place ravioli on a cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal. Repeat process, filling and cutting remaining ravioli.

5. Cook ravioli, in batches if necessary, in a large pot of boiling salted water until they float, about 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to a warm platter. Cover to keep warm. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in sugar and remaining 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, then pour over ravioli. Top with smoked cheese and serve.