Tortellini

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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 ragù 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 ragù, although it can be found, is considered by the vast majority of Bolognesi to be non-authentic.

Tortelloni is a larger version of tortellini, and is usually stuffed with Ricotta cheese and leaf vegetables, such as spinach. Many lesser, "exotic" variants exist where the vegetables are replaced with stronger ingredients such as porcini or walnuts. Another common filling for tortelloni is a paste made mainly of pumpkin pulp. Tortelloni are usually served either with ragù or with melted butter and sage leaves.

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.

[edit] 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).