The old saying for March, “in like a lion, out like a lamb,” isn’t faring well this year. It’s lion all the way: blustery cold, temperatures skirting the freeze point at night. The threat of snow might only manifest as a swirl of icy flakes, hardly worth mentioning. Except that there are competing signs of spring–pear and plum trees blooming; branches of forsythia fleck sunny yellow, tulips and hyacinths in varying purpled hues; Against the stark grey, they all glow.

So, the recipe that I’m sharing with you today is one of those that straddles the seasons. Like most members in the family of baked pastas, it is substantial, hearty. The kind of dish you’d want on a chilly March night, when that lion wind roars through the cracks of your doors and windows.

At the same time, it is lightened. The sauce combines sweet red bell peppers and tomatoes, roasted together and pureed to a gorgeous vermilion. The ricotta is whipped with baby spoon spinach into a creamy pale green smear. Impossibly thin ripples of speck, that marvelous cured ham from northern Italy, impart smoky woodsy notes. Ash, juniper, pepper, laurel.

And, they are dainty rolls.

While I do like squares and rectangles of beefy lasagna, and lush vegetable towers: layer upon layer spread with bechamel, ricotta, braised artichokes
I found that these small roll-ups had an endearing and easy way about them–

and made a delicious presence on the potluck table.

True to the way of lasagna, the most time is spent working with each component—prior to assembly.

Sauce pureed, filling whipped, pasta cooked al dente: you are ready to spread, cut and roll.

Lay out your lasagna noodles like fat ribbons on the counter;
spoon and slather the spinach ricotta from end to end. A little palette knife, used for icing cakes, is especially handy.

The slices of speck, almost transparent, seem custom made for the pasta roll, and fit neatly over the ricotta.

Make a cut through the center of each layered ribbon, creating two pieces to curl into clever spirals. I think you’ll like this smaller style roll-up, rather than the giant ones made from the entire piece.

For potluck, I also made a vegetarian version with shiitake mushrooms. They have a meaty texture and flavor that works well with the other ingredients. The recipe I’ve given below makes enough sauce and filling to make 2 casseroles: one with speck (or prosciutto, if you can’t find speck at your market) and one with shiitakes.

As I finish writing this post, this early spring snow has picked up: swirls of white past my windows, and a pretty dusting over the yard.
Lion March! It shouldn’t last.

And April, with the promise of balmier days, will be here soon. Memories of winter and cold will fade as we anticipate tilling and planting the garden, and dream of asparagus and sweet peas and strawberries.

LITTLE SPINACH-RICOTTA-SPECK (OR SHIITAKE) LASAGNA ROLLS WITH
SWEET RED BELL PEPPER-TOMATO SAUCE

Red Bell Pepper-Tomato Sauce:
4 red bell peppers, cut in half, stemmed and seeded
1 large onion, cut into eighths
4 cloves garlic
1-28 oz can plum tomatoes
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Place red bell pepper halves onto one side of a baking sheet. Tuck onion pieces and garlic cloves underneath. Brush the tops with olive oil.

Pour remaining oil onto the other side of the baking sheet. Spoon the entire contents of the can of plum tomatoes and sauce over the oiled area.

Sprinkle tomatoes and red bell peppers with salt and black pepper.

Roast in a preheated 425 degree oven for 25 minutes—until the skins of the peppers are blackened and blistered.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. Peel the blistered skins and discard.
Place roasted vegetables and juices into a bowl. Using an immersion blender, process the ingredients into a brilliant red-orange sauce. Taste for seasonings and adjust as needed.

Spinach-Ricotta-Speck Filling: (for vegetarian version, use shiitake mushrooms instead of speck)
8 oz. fresh baby spoon spinach
2 lb. ricotta
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon granulated garlic
2 eggs
1 ½ cups shredded or grated parmesan

4 oz. speck or prosciutto, very thinly sliced
-or-
4 oz shiitake mushroom, sliced and sauteed

1 box lasagna: 18 pieces, cooked according to package directions, drained and cooled
½ cup shredded pecorino romano—to sprinkle over the top

Coat 2 9″×13″ (or size thereabouts) casserole dishes with a little olive oil.

In a food processor fitted with the swivel blade, pulse the spinach until it’s chopped. Scrape into a mixing bowl and return the work bowl to the processor. Refit with swivel blade.

Add ricotta, eggs, salt, black pepper, and garlic and processor until well blended.

Stir the ricotta mixture into the spinach. Fold in the parmesan.

Lay out the lasagna in rows on your work counter. Dollop a few tablespoons of the ricotta mixture and spread it along the length, covering the pasta. Place slices of speck (or prosciutto) over the ricotta.

Cut the lasagna ribbons in half. Roll up each piece. You will have 36 nice lasagna roulades.

Cover the bottom of the casserole dishes with a layer of sauce. Arrange lasagna rolls in the dish. Spoon sauce over the tops. Sprinkle with pecorino romano.

Bake uncovered for 35 minutes in a 325 degree preheated oven. Serves 12-15

1. Rach Says:
   March 26th, 2013 at 4:21 pm

   Spring was here! Then it disappeared behind heavy dark clouds. It has rained all day and I have pulled the blanket back on the bed. No snow though, not in Rome. This looks just delicious and inspired, what cunning rolls and lovely flavours. I can tell you are in book mode – you are on writing, wording roll. R

2. Homepage Says:
   March 26th, 2013 at 8:04 pm

   … [Trackback] …

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3. Heather Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 2:23 am

   Beautiful! Perfect for a party!

4. ernestine lawson Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 4:59 am

   Using the Lasagna noodles this way
   gives me an idea for a vegetarian Lasagna
   that I make. Like the idea of the little
   rolls.
   Once again
   thank you
   and surely
   Spring must be around the corner :)

5. Teresa, foodonfifth Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 6:16 am

   Coincidently I just tested and photographed these lovely little pasta rolls this past weekend for Relish Magazine for your monthly Third Thursday column. Wouter and I dined on these for two evenings loving every savory bite. Little Lasagna Rolls are the perfect “bridge” to Spring.

6. goodfoodmatters Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 7:44 am

   Hi Rach and Heather—my two friends living in Rome who understand the many excellent ways with lasagna.

   Ernestine-The little lasagna rolls can be readily modified with other veggies and fillings with success.

   Teresa–I’m looking forward to seeing your images for the column.

   No matter where we are, I believe we all are looking forward to warm Spring days.

7. Tammy Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 10:08 am

   Beautiful! I love the addition of shiitake to this.

8. Michele | Cooking At Home Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 1:15 pm

   I agree that Spring can’t get here fast enough. A lovely dish to span the seasons while we wait for warmer weather. Happy Spring!

9. John Says:
   March 27th, 2013 at 2:13 pm

   Now if only we had had that room with a kitchen in Atlanta….This really looks good.

   John

10. Karen (Back Road Journal) Says:
    March 27th, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    I love making lasagna rolls and your recipe sounds terrific with the speck and red pepper tomato sauce.

11. Maggie Says:
    March 27th, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Nance, these do look delish! I agree about spring not getting here soon enough, though it’s starting to look hopeful!

12. Barbara Says:
    March 28th, 2013 at 6:33 am

    What a marvelous recipe, Nancy. I love all the layers and flavors. Beautiful pics too!
    I remember well forcing forsythia in the house when I lived in Michigan. It gave me hope!

13. Dedy Oktavianus Pardede@Dentist Chef Says:
    March 28th, 2013 at 10:37 am

    wow, you’ve made it from scratsh and shaped it in a fancy way,
    you’ve got talent!

14. .Wendy Says:
    March 28th, 2013 at 11:08 am

    These were delicious at Third Thursday and so cute and easy to eat—

15. FOODESSA Says:
    March 28th, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    I cannot express in short how truly delicious this meal sounds to me. Although I’ve made something similar…I realize that the addition of red peppers would probably bring it to the next level for sure.

    Keep up the great menus Nancy…I’m your follower…especially when your recipes really do work!

    Happy Easter holiday to you and your loved ones.

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

16. Christine fresh local best Says:
    March 29th, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    I have so much to catch up on your blog! This lasagna is superbly gourmet, the type that I would imagine served up in a fancy restaurant in New York. I’m coming over to your house one of these days!

17. Beth Says:
    March 30th, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    Your lasagna looks absolutely delicious!

18. YouGiveGoods Says:
    April 3rd, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    We are so excited to see that you will be donating your post on April 8th to spread awareness about hunger. Wondering what you will write about? How about food drives for the 21st century…efficient, green, productive and fun! Everything is ONLINE now! See how this blogger, http://mommypoppins.com/, invited her readers to join her in helping 10,000 hungry children in New York City with the click of a mouse! http://www.yougivegoods.com/Feed10000Kids

19. Juliana Says:
    April 3rd, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    Amazing dish Nancy…I never thought in adding shiitake mushrooms to ricotta and spinach…looks awesome and so flavorful…I love it.
    Enjoy your week my dear :)

20. claudine Says:
    April 5th, 2013 at 10:02 am

    i really like the nice little size of these lasagna rols