Tortellini are a ring-shaped pasta, similar to ravioli, originally from the Italian region of Emilia, that are stuffed with meat, or, more rarely, with cheese. They is usually served in a sauce or soup. Tortelloni are a larger version of ravioli and are usually stuffed with cheese and greens (such as spinach).

The name derives from the Italian word meaning cake.

Tortellini

Tortellini is representative of the bellybutton of Venus, Goddess of Love (Roman)(Greek,Aphrodite). As one legend goes, Venus and Jupiter were to meet one night. After Venus had checked into the inn, the chef found out. The chef went to her room, and peeked through the key hole where he saw Venus awaiting Jupiter laying only partially covered in bed on her back. On seeing her navel, the chef was overcome with what he saw and was inspired to create a stuffed pasta that looked like her navel, the tortellina. (plural, Tortellini)