Tortelli is a variety of Italian stuffed pasta prepared in a few shapes: square, semicircular, or rounded and twisted. The pasta is popular throughout Italy, especially in Tuscany, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna. One of the most famous dishes featuring this pasta variety is called tortelli con zucca, where tortelli are filled with pumpkin, crushed cookies, and parmesan cheese.
The dish is then topped with more cheese and a sauce consisting of butter and sage.
VARIATIONS OF Tortelli
MOST ICONIC Tortelli
Tortelli di zucca is a popular Italian dish consisting of tortelli or ravioli pasta with a pumpkin filling. The origin of this dish is disputed between Mantua and Ferrara, with both cities claiming paternity over the recipe. The stuffing for tortelli is usually made with sweet pumpkin, bitter amaretto cookies, savory parmesan cheese, and fruit mustard, resulting in a unique, unusual flavor that is beloved by many.
People from the region traditionally prepare the dish for special occasions, such as Christmas Eve, when tortelli di zucca are paired with a sauce consisting of butter and sage.
MOST ICONIC Tortelli di zucca
This widely popular and extremely versatile group of dishes consists of a base of rice and stock. Butter, saffron, and parmesan are some of the ingredients most often combined with the base to make a variety of flavorful risottos. The history of the dish is rife with conflicting theories about its origins, however, it is certain that rice was first introduced to Italy by the Arabs during the Middle Ages.
Since the Mediterranean climate was perfect for growing short-grain rice, huge amounts of it started to be sold - primarily in Venice, Genoa, and the surrounding areas. As rice gained in popularity, it became a staple food of the Po valley, Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, and the city of Milan.