Preparing the Pasta

Throw the flour and eggs into a food processor and combine until the mixture just starts to come together as a ball

Sprinkle a little flour onto your bench to prevent the pasta from sticking

Remove from the processor and begin to knead the dough with your hands for around 2 to 3 minutes

It should become quite silky to the touch and will bounce back a little when you push it with your finger

Cover with cling film and let rest for at least 20 minutes at room temperature

Creating the Tortellini

Drain and mash the pumpkin with a little butter

Crumble the feta into the mixture then add the garlic and basil, season to taste

Combine thoroughly and set aside

Unwrap pasta dough and cut in half

Put it through your pasta machine on the widest setting

Fold the pasta like a book and repeat this process 10 times

Then begin to reduce the setting and roll out your pasta

Make sure you have lots of room and a floured bench. (number 2 on my pasta machine)

Once you have your pasta sheet ready, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Place the pasta sheet onto a flat surface

Take a teaspoon of the filling and place spoonfuls just off centre down the sheet, you should easily get 2 rows

Using a 1Ocm cookie cutter cut around each spoonful of mixture

Remove excess pasta

Fold to create a semi-circle and squeeze edge together

Bring the left side to meet the right and squeeze together

Place on a floured tray to rest

Plunge into salted boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes or until pasta is cooked

Making the Sauce

Heat a frying pan on a medium heat and add the oil

When hot, add the shallots and garlic then cook until translucent

Add the bay leaf, thyme and tomatoes then cook until tomatoes are just beginning to lose their shape

Grab your potato masher and break the tomatoes down to release all their juices

Continue to simmer sauce until thickened slightly and then season with salt and pepper

Remove the bay leaf before serving

To serve place some tortellini into a bowl and place a spoonful of the tomato sauce over the top

Sprinkle with some fresh parmesan and basil