Tortellini facts for kids
The distinctive shape of tortellini
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| Alternative names | Belly button |
|---|---|
| Type | Pasta, dumplings |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Emilia-Romagna |
| Variations | Tortelloni |
Tortellini are a type of small, ring-shaped pasta that comes from the Italian region of Emilia. Specifically, they are famous in the cities of Bologna and Modena.
Traditionally, tortellini are filled with a tasty mix of different meats, like pork, prosciutto, and mortadella. They also contain Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, egg, and nutmeg. These delicious pasta rings are often served in a warm broth, like chicken soup.
You can find tortellini sold fresh, especially in Italy where they are often homemade. Around the world, you can also buy them packaged, dried, refrigerated, or frozen. This is especially true in places where many Italian families live.
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Where Did Tortellini Come From?
The exact beginning of tortellini is a bit of a mystery! Both Bologna and Modena, two cities in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, say they invented this pasta. The word tortellini comes from a smaller version of tortello, which itself is a smaller version of torta (meaning "cake" or "pie" in Italian).
One of the first recipes for a similar dish, called "torteletti," appeared in 1570. Later, in the mid-1600s, the name might have changed to tortellini.
Legends About Tortellini's Shape
Many fun stories explain how tortellini got their unique shape. One popular legend takes place in Castelfranco Emilia, a town between Bologna and Modena. The story says that the Roman goddess Venus stayed at an inn there. The innkeeper was so amazed by her beauty that he peeked through a keyhole. He could only see her belly button! Inspired by this, he created a pasta in that exact shape. This is why tortellini are sometimes called "ombelico di Venere" (Venus's navel). Every year, Castelfranco Emilia holds a festival to celebrate this legend.
Another story suggests the shape comes from the turtle-like architecture found in Modena.
Tortellini vs. Tortelloni
You might have heard of Tortelloni, which look similar to tortellini but are bigger. Tortelloni are usually about 5 grams each, while tortellini are smaller, around 2 grams. Also, their ends are closed differently.
The biggest difference is the filling:
- Tortellini have a meat-based filling.
- Tortelloni are filled with ricotta cheese, and sometimes parsley or spinach.
How they are served is also different:
- Tortellini are traditionally cooked and served in a broth.
- Tortelloni are cooked in water, then often stir-fried with butter and sage, and served without broth.
How Tortellini Are Made
Making tortellini involves several steps, whether you make them at home or in a factory.
Making the Stuffing and Dough
First, the ingredients for the stuffing, like ground pork and cheese, are mixed together. Then, flour and eggs are kneaded to create the pasta dough.
Shaping the Tortellini
Once the dough is ready, it is flattened into thin sheets. These sheets are then cut into small squares. A small amount of the meat stuffing is placed on each square. Finally, each square is carefully folded and shaped into the distinctive tortellini ring.
Tools for Making Tortellini
At Home
If you make tortellini at home, you'll use simple kitchen tools:
- A chopping board
- A knife
- A rolling pin to flatten the dough
- A dough rolling board
In Factories
In large factories, special machines help make many tortellini quickly:
- A mincer for the meat
- A kneading machine for the dough
- A sheeter to flatten the dough
- A forming machine (often called a tortellini machine) to shape them
See Also
In Spanish: Tortellini para niños
