Swallows Nest Pasta (Sammarinese Nidi di Rondine)

Swallows nest pasta is an original recipe from the little country of San Marino. In Italian it is called nidi di rondine which translates to swallows nest and it gets the name because the rolled up pasta somewhat resembles a swallows nest. Mine, not so much but it truly was a heavenly bite!

12 lasagna pasta noodles
¾ lb prosciutto di parma, sliced thin
1 1/3 cup Fontina cheese, sliced thin
12 fresh basil leaves
1½ cups marinara sauce

Béchamel:
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, unbleached
2 Tbsp. butter
1½ cups whole milk
1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg
2 Tbsp. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
sea salt

Garnish:
Parmigiano Reggiano, to sprinkle on top

For the Béchamel:
Whisk the milk and flour in a saucepan, then add the butter and place the pan over moderate high heat.

Keep whisking until sauce thickens.

Season with salt, nutmeg and the 2 Tbsp. of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Cook a few lasagna pieces at a time in salted boiling water. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen towels. Turn them over to dry on both sides.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Coat the bottom of a large baking dish with 1 cup of marinara sauce.

Spread a layer of béchamel on the pasta pieces, then sprinkle with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and place slices of prosciutto, then basil, then fontina cheese on top.

Roll up each in piece into a cylinder. Place them close together cut side up in baking dish. Continue the process until the dish is full.

Makes 4 servings.