Tortellini

Tortellini in broth

Tortellini is a ring-shaped pasta, they are typically stuffed with a mix of meat (pork loin, prosciutto crudo, mortadella) and parmesan cheese although other stuffings are popular in the Po Valley. Originally from the Italian region of Emilia (in particular Bologna and Modena), they are usually served in broth, with cream, or with a Ragu or similar sauce. Traditionally, the most serious restaurant in Bologna as well "La Confraternita del Tortellino" agree that the only real Tortellino is served only in home made broth. Tortellino with cream is widely accepted in Bologna but criticized by some. Tortellino with ragu, although it can be found, is considered by the vast majority of Bolognesi a sin against God.

Tortelloni is a larger version of tortellini, and is usually stuffed with Ricotta cheese and leaf vegetables, such as spinach.

You can find packed refrigerated or frozen tortellini and tortelloni everywhere in the world, especially where Italian communities have a certain relief. Tortellini and tortelloni are made in special industrial lines supplied, all over the world, by Italian companies such as Arienti & Cattaneo, Ima, Ostoni, Zamboni, etc.; "fresh" packed tortellini and tortelloni have usually 7 weeks of shelf-life.

Mythology

The origin of tortellini is surrounded by several legends.

One says that this dish is born in Castelfranco Emilia (province of Modena). One night during a trip, Lucrezia Borgia checked into an Inn in the small town. The host was captivated by her beauty and couldn't resist the urge to peek into her room through the keyhole. The light inside the bedroom was only made by a few candles and so he could only see her navel. This pure and innocent vision was enough to send him into an ecstacy that inspired him to create the tortellino that night.

For some the shape of tortellini represents the bellybutton of Venus, the Goddess of Love in Roman mythology (Aphrodite in Greek mythology).

As one legend goes, Venus and Jupiter were to meet one night. After Venus had checked into the inn, she waited for him on the bed. The chef found out, went to her room and peeked through the keyhole, where he saw her lying only partially covered on her back. Overcome at seeing her navel, the chef was so inspired that he created a stuffed pasta resembling her navel.