National Tortellini Day

The best way to get acquainted with the flavor of any country is to try the local cuisine. National Tortellini Day is dedicated to a dish whose birthplace is considered to be Italy. Traditionally, the holiday is on February 13 every year.

History

The traditional Italian dish is served in almost all restaurants, despite its simple method of preparation. It tastes excellent. Every self-respecting tourist necessarily tries it, sometimes not knowing the history of its occurrence.

According to legend, the owner of a tavern saw a beautiful girl who turned out to be the infamous illegitimate daughter of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia. The man was so struck by the beauty of the stranger that he rushed after her. Through a tiny keyhole, he could see nothing but her navel. On the same day, he prepared a beautiful dish, which later became one of the most famous in the country.

According to another version, real gods visited the bar. They were Venus and Jupiter. The unearthly beauty of the woman so impressed the cook that he decided to create a dish for her. The couple stayed in the room for the whole night. The discouraged cook spied on them but could only see her navel. His feelings remained unexpressed, and he had to hide them.

In its shape, tortellini indeed resemble a navel. They are prepared using dough, finely chopped minced meat, and seasonings. This is the traditional recipe, but after a few years, cooks began to experiment. They added greens, cheese, and vegetables. Especially popular was the dish with Brussels sprouts.

Interesting Facts

• Tortellini is not only very tasty, it also saturates the body with carbohydrates, which are important sources of energy. A nutritious dish perfectly satisfies hunger.
• The first recipe appeared at the end of the 16th century, and the modern one in the 1920s.
• You can buy ready-made tortellini in the store. Cooking time does not take much time. A tasty and healthy dish can replace harmful fast food, with the cost being approximately the same.

How to Celebrate

It would be a real crime not to try an Italian dish on this day. Confident cooks can try to cook it on their own, and the rest can purchase a package in the local supermarket. There are a huge number of recipes, so you can choose one that you will definitely like. Add sauces or seasonings to enhance the flavor.

When is National Tortellini Day in 2025?

National Tortellini Day is observed on February 13 each year.

Observations