Home

Whole Wheat Mezze Penne Gratin with Tomino, Figs and Walnuts

17/11/2023

Whole wheat mezze penne gratin with tomino, figs, and walnuts is a flavorful dish that skillfully combines the sweetness of figs with the bold taste of tomino cheese and the crunchiness of walnuts. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 320 g of whole wheat mezze penne
  • 4 tomini (fresh Piedmontese cheese)
  • 8 fresh figs or dried ones, if it’s not the season
  • 100 g of shelled walnuts
  • 200 ml of fresh cream or milk for a lighter version
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • A few sprigs of fresh thyme (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Cook the whole wheat mezze penne in plenty of salted water following the package instructions for al dente cooking. Then drain and set aside.
  3. In the meantime, cut the figs into quarters if they’re fresh, or in half if they’re dried. If you’re using dried figs, you can rehydrate them in warm water for a few minutes before using them.
  4. Coarsely chop the walnuts with a knife or use a food processor, being careful not to grind them into powder.
  5. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lightly sauté the figs with the chopped walnuts. Add the cream (or milk) and cook for a few minutes until it starts to simmer.
  6. Add the drained penne to the fig and walnut sauce and mix well. Season with salt and add a generous grinding of black pepper.
  7. Cut the tomini in half horizontally and place them on top of the pasta, spreading them out evenly.
  8. Pour everything into an oiled baking dish and sprinkle with fresh thyme.
  9. Bake at 180 °C and let gratinate until the tomino has melted and the surface is golden and crispy, about 15-20 minutes.

Curiosity

Tomino is a typically Piedmontese fresh cheese, with soft dough and a delicate flavor. It melts very well in the oven, becoming a real creamy delight that perfectly matches the flavors of this dish. The addition of figs gives an unexpected touch of sweetness, while the walnuts add a pleasant contrast in texture.

I hope you like this recipe and that you can enjoy this tasty and flavorful dish!