Stuffed Pasta’s Tasty History
Nothing like some stuffed pasta!
Maybe you've never thought about this, but us being Italian, it's a HOT topic. As far as we're concerned, ravioli are the best form of stuffed pasta, but others may not agree. Stuffed pasta comes in many different forms and is called by many different names, just to name a few; we have ravioli and tortellini in Italy, dumplings that originate from Asian cultures, and pierogies from Eastern European cultures.
But what sets these very different stuffed pasta apart? We're going to take you on a journey of the history of these scrumptiously stuffed and starchy foods, and you can decide which stuffed pasta is your favorite!
The Dumpling
Crispy and delicious!
There are too many types of dumplings to mention, but the most well-known and probably the most popular form of dumpling in America is the wonton. It has a thin dough wrapping in the shape of a half-moon and is filled with a variety of meats and herbs, most commonly with pork and herbs.
Wontons are often seen in soups but can also be fried or steamed and served with a vinegar sauce on the side. If you see the dumpling served in this manner, it's called guotie. The guotie originated in China but has since become a very popular dish in Japan. In America, we call them potstickers.
This form of dumpling originated in Southern China and differed from the Northern Chinese dumpling called the jiǎozi (gee-ow-zzz). The jiǎozi has a much thicker dough wrapping filled with meats and herbs but is boiled and steamed, never fried.
The jiǎozi has a medicinal history in Northern China. Old folklore states that the jiǎozi was created by a retired physician, Zhang Zhongjing, to warm his neighbors in his village during a particularly brutal winter. The warm, steamed dumplings with special herbs cured their frostbite, and now in Northern China, people celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year by preparing and enjoying jiǎozi with their families.
Fun Fact about dumplings: Everything with the Chinese holds meaning, and dumplings are no different! What you stuff your dumplings with will bring what you want most in your life. For example, if you're goal is wealth, happiness, and health, you would stuff your dumplings with beef and chives.
The Pierogi
Hearty and delicious!
Mashed potato lovers, if you haven't tried pierogi, then you don't know what you're missing! Perogi is the plural form of pieróg, a generic term for dumplings that originated in Poland. Perogies are made with a thick, unleavened dough and then stuffed with potato and a variation of meats, cheeses, and even legumes. It's very much like the Chinese guotie in that it's traditionally boiled, but they can be panfried as well for a crunchy texture. Where they differ is that pierogi have a very loose recipe and can be made into a savory or sweet dish so you can let your creativity flow!
Perogi stuffings that are enjoyed throughout the seasons are based on what's readily available, so in the summer, it's popular to have berry pierogi, and in the winter, people enjoy mushroom and potato stuffed pierogi. In fact, it's a tradition to enjoy mushroom and sauerkraut stuffed pierogi at Christmas Eve Dinner!
The Ravioli
Cheesy deliciousness!
We saved the best for last! The Italian ravioli dates back to the 14th century and traditionally is made with ricotta, maybe meat, and mixed green herbs. A much-improved version of the dumpling if you ask us!
The word "Ravioli" is said to have come from an old Italian word: riavvolgere, which means "to wrap," but others believe it may have been named after a man who was rumored to have invented the ravioli; a renowned 13th-century chef who lived in what is now the Italian region of Liguria. Some suggest that the ravioli is just a spin-off of dumplings, but we consider ravioli to be in a league of their own!
So which is your favorite stuffed pasta? If you’d like to experience the more superior stuffed pasta come to our Ravioli and Wine Pairing on Thursday, September 16th!
