Walnut and Pancetta Pansoti with Asparagus in Parmesan Broth

PreparationMake pansoti filling: Cook pancetta in oil in a large heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fat is rendered, 10 to 12 minutes. Add onion and marjoram and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is well browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer half of mixture to a 2-quart saucepan and remaining half to a bowl. Stir walnuts, parsley, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper into mixture in bowl. Cool filling. Make sauce: Add water, red pepper flakes, and cheese rind to pancetta mixture in saucepan and simmer briskly, uncovered, until reduced to about 1 cup, about 12 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl and stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Form pansoti: Place 1 level teaspoon filling in center of 1 pasta square, keeping remaining squares covered tightly with plastic wrap. Moisten edges of pasta square with water and fold in half to form a triangle, pressing around filling to force out air (air pockets increase the chance of pansoti breaking during cooking) and then pressing edges to seal. Transfer to a dry kitchen towel. Make more pansoti in same manner. Cook asparagus and pansoti: Cook asparagus tips in a small saucepan of salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a sieve and plunge into a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry. Bring a 6-quart pot of salted water to a boil, then add pansoti and cook at a strong simmer, gently stirring once or twice, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. While pansoti are boiling, cook asparagus tips in oil in a small skillet over low heat until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Heat sauce in a 12-inch skillet over moderate heat until hot. Transfer pansoti with a slotted spoon to sauce and cook over moderate heat, stirring gently, 1 minute. Transfer pansoti to plates with slotted spoon, then top with some sauce and sprinkle with asparagus tips. Cooks' notes:· Pansoti can be formed (but not cooked) 1 day ahead. Arrange in 1 layer in a kitchen-towel-lined shallow baking pan and tightly cover with plastic wrap, then chill. · If you don't have time to make fresh pasta, you can use wonton wrappers (thawed if frozen), but the flavor and texture won't be as good. · Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and cooled, uncovered, then chilled, covered. · Asparagus tips can be boiled and refreshed 1 day ahead and chilled in a sealed plastic bag along with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. (Asparagus stalks can be used for a puréed soup.)

PreparationMake pansoti filling: Cook pancetta in oil in a large heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fat is rendered, 10 to 12 minutes. Add onion and marjoram and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is well browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer half of mixture to a 2-quart saucepan and remaining half to a bowl. Stir walnuts, parsley, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper into mixture in bowl. Cool filling. Make sauce: Add water, red pepper flakes, and cheese rind to pancetta mixture in saucepan and simmer briskly, uncovered, until reduced to about 1 cup, about 12 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl and stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Form pansoti: Place 1 level teaspoon filling in center of 1 pasta square, keeping remaining squares covered tightly with plastic wrap. Moisten edges of pasta square with water and fold in half to form a triangle, pressing around filling to force out air (air pockets increase the chance of pansoti breaking during cooking) and then pressing edges to seal. Transfer to a dry kitchen towel. Make more pansoti in same manner. Cook asparagus and pansoti: Cook asparagus tips in a small saucepan of salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a sieve and plunge into a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry. Bring a 6-quart pot of salted water to a boil, then add pansoti and cook at a strong simmer, gently stirring once or twice, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. While pansoti are boiling, cook asparagus tips in oil in a small skillet over low heat until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Heat sauce in a 12-inch skillet over moderate heat until hot. Transfer pansoti with a slotted spoon to sauce and cook over moderate heat, stirring gently, 1 minute. Transfer pansoti to plates with slotted spoon, then top with some sauce and sprinkle with asparagus tips. Cooks' notes:· Pansoti can be formed (but not cooked) 1 day ahead. Arrange in 1 layer in a kitchen-towel-lined shallow baking pan and tightly cover with plastic wrap, then chill. · If you don't have time to make fresh pasta, you can use wonton wrappers (thawed if frozen), but the flavor and texture won't be as good. · Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and cooled, uncovered, then chilled, covered. · Asparagus tips can be boiled and refreshed 1 day ahead and chilled in a sealed plastic bag along with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. (Asparagus stalks can be used for a puréed soup.)