Fresh Tortellini and Tortelloni
The origins of the dish are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but one popular legend is that tortellini was inspired by the navel of Venus, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility in Roman mythology.
According to the legend, a wealthy nobleman was staying in a tavern in the town of Castelfranco Emilia, near Bologna, and he caught a glimpse of the innkeeper’s beautiful daughter through a keyhole. Captivated by her navel, he was inspired to create a pasta shape that resembled it. And so, the tortellini was born!