Where were tortellini really invented? Bologna or Modena?

+ Best culinary spots in Modena, and a few local recipes from Modena

Both of these fabulous neighboring culinary towns in the Emilia-Romagna region lay claim to tortellini and they both make a really good case. I love food rivalries like this because it means I get to listen to everyone's tortellini story and taste them all!

As these two cities are neighbors I'm sure there's a little bit of truth on each side and that over time the tortellini invention was a parallel and collaborative creation between the two cities. 

Tortellini are meat-filled, usually served in a delicious meat broth. Everyone makes their filling just slightly differently but the focus is on pork, some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and quite often mortadella. If you have a meat grinder attachment for your KitchenAid - and I suggest you get one if you don’t - you can really customize your tortellini filling. 

Bologna is usually vaunted as the Emilia-Romagna region’s best food city, but don't underestimate Modena! After all Modena is the home town of one of the world’s best chefs - if not the very best: Massimo Bottura.

If you plan to visit Modena and you'd like to dine in his restaurant think way, way in advance (about 7 months) and get your reservation set up.