Toasted ravioli
Encyclopedia
Ravioli
Ravioli are a traditional type of Italian filled pasta. They are composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin egg pasta dough and are served either in broth or with a pasta sauce. The word ravioli is reminiscent of the Italian verb riavvolgere , though the two words are not...
, is an appetizer created and popularized, according to common claims, in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Toasted ravioli can be found on the menus of many St. Louis restaurants including those of The Hill
The Hill, St. Louis
The Hill is a mostly Italian-American neighborhood within St. Louis, Missouri, located on high ground south of Forest Park. The official boundaries of the area are Manchester Avenue on the north, Columbia and Southwest Avenues on the south, South Kingshighway Boulevard on the east, and Hampton...
, a predominantly Italian neighborhood.
Origin
Toasted ravioli may have originated in Sicily, where fried ravioli containing a sweet filling is a traditional Christmas time dish.Many claims have been made as to the original creation of toasted ravioli in the United States, but the true origin of this dish remains unknown. Meanwhile, many chefs on The Hill
The Hill, St. Louis
The Hill is a mostly Italian-American neighborhood within St. Louis, Missouri, located on high ground south of Forest Park. The official boundaries of the area are Manchester Avenue on the north, Columbia and Southwest Avenues on the south, South Kingshighway Boulevard on the east, and Hampton...
stake their claims: Chef Terry Hill says he invented the dish at Oldani's restaurant in 1933. The restaurant was located where Mama Campisi's restaurant is now, on the St. Louis Hill at 2132 Edwards Street. Another popular claim revolves around Charlie Gitto's restaurant (then known as "Angelo's"). According to that tale, in 1947, a chef at Angelo's accidentally dropped the pasta into oil instead of water.
The chef who dropped the toasted ravioli was Gina Oldani, the sister of Angelo Oldani, owner of Oldani's and Angelo's restaurants. Charlie Gitto was Angelo's maitre d at the time. He purchased the restaurant after Angelo Oldani's death.
Composition, varieties and service
Generally, some type of meat or cheese is wrapped in square ravioliRavioli
Ravioli are a traditional type of Italian filled pasta. They are composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin egg pasta dough and are served either in broth or with a pasta sauce. The word ravioli is reminiscent of the Italian verb riavvolgere , though the two words are not...
, breaded and deep fried until the pasta shell becomes slightly crispy, dry and golden brown, this is the reason for the toasted name. Toasted ravioli is traditionally served with marinara sauce
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is a southern Italian tomato sauce usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs , and onion. However, there are many variations. Some of these include the addition of capers, olives, anchovies, and/or spices....
for dipping and parmesan cheese may also be sprinkled on top. Toasted ravioli can be stored pre-made and frozen which allows it to be easily prepared by fry cooks or bar staff without requiring much special skill or training. Alternatively, some recipes call for the ravioli to be baked in an oven, rather than fried, for a lower calorie option or for those who wish to moderate their consumption of fried foods.
Toasted ravioli has experienced many variations throughout the United States, and while it is served most frequently in the St. Louis area and throughout surrounding regions of the midwest, it is available in other parts of the country as well. In St. Louis and the midwest, toasted ravioli typically contains beef or veal
Veal
Veal is the meat of young cattle , as opposed to meat from older cattle. Though veal can be produced from a calf of either sex and any breed, most veal comes from male calves of dairy cattle breeds...
. In New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, Toasted ravioli is traditionally stuffed with provolone
Provolone
Provolone is an Italian cheese that originated in Southern Italy, where it is still produced in various shapes as in 10 to 15 cm long pear, sausage, or cone shapes. A variant of Provolone is also produced in North America and Japan...
or Parmesan cheese. In the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
, rare instances of toasted ravioli have been known to contain chicken. Many other ingredients have been added to toasted ravioli and chefs are still experimenting with different fillings for this appetizer.
See also
- Cuisine of the Midwest
- Cuisine of the United StatesCuisine of the United StatesAmerican cuisine is a style of food preparation originating from the United States of America. European colonization of the Americas yielded the introduction of a number of ingredients and cooking styles to the latter...
- Fried wonton a deep fried and crispy Chinese dumpling
- Pot sticker a pan fried Chinese dumpling