One of our favorite pasta dishes is ravioli, those light, fluffy pillows stuffed with varying combinations of herbs, greens, meat, seafood or cheese. The word "ravioli" is derived from an old Italian word “riavvolgere”, which means "to wrap."

Ravioli are a square shape. If you see them semi-circular, they would be called mezzelune (half-moons). Cappellacci are ravioli stuffed with a sweet pumpkin-based filling and are popular in the northeastern part of Emilia-Romagna. The Italian pumpkin used for this ravioli isn’t available in the U.S. so orange-fleshed sweet potatoes make a perfect substitute.

Many other types of Italian pasta contain fillings, such as tortelloni and tortelli, however they are usually smaller and more time consuming to make by hand.

Ravioli appears in writings as early as the 14th century and they were reportedly served at a papal conclave in Rome in 1549. The favored stuffings vary by region, for example ricotta cheese and spinach are popular in Rome. Many ravioli dishes come with a tomato or cream based sauce, however they were traditionally served en brodo, in a broth.

Because we make all of our own ravioli, it’s usually a weekend special at M’tucci’s Italian. M’tucci’s Moderno has Artichoke Pesto Ravioli and M’tucci’s Twenty-Five serves Lobster & Prosciutto Ravioli.

M'tucci's Moderno Artichoke Ravioli

M'tucci's Twenty-Five Lobster Ravioli

Some of the past favorite fillings have been; Wild Mushroom and Ricotta, Red Chile Three Cheese, Roasted Fennel and Duroc Pork with Goat Cheese and Butternut Squash and Mascarpone with a Browned Butter Sage Sauce.

Here is a speeded up video of our ravioli process. As you can see there are a few tools that allow us to hand-make our ravioli. Can you imagine how long it would take to make 1,200 totally by hand?

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Don’t forget to vote for M’tucci’s in the Journal’s Reader’s Choice Awards. We are nominated for Best Italian, Best Chef, Best Business Lunch, Best Cocktail and Best Dessert. How we didn’t show up in the Best Pizza category is a mystery and a huge mistake. Oh, well.

Special Wine at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

This weekend we are featuring a selection from Kermit Lynch, one of the most prestigious wine importers and merchants in the U.S. Here is what their website says about the Kermit Lunch Cote du Rhone, which is primarily made from the Grenache varietal:

“The growing success we have enjoyed over the last three vintages is proof enough that the KL Côtes du Rhône fits both the taste profile and quality standards that our customers have come to expect. Since 1929, this winery has been bringing local vignerons together from the outlying areas of Avignon in the Southern Rhône to produce delicious wines that epitomize the region’s complex terroirs. Kermit works closely with winemaker Jean-François Pasturel to develop the blend. Pasturel is thrilled to be able to have the chance to produce a Côtes du Rhône he does not have to filter to death. It is his tête de cuvée, his pride and joy.”

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

24 oz Hand Cut T-Bone: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $36

Pan-Seared Ruby Trout - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Sauce $25

Appetizers

Beer Battered Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms: Capers, Oil Pickled Zucchini $10

Clam Toasts & Pancetta with Fennel, Sun-Dried Tomato, White Wine Butter Broth $12

Weekend Cocktail

Lilly Pad: Beefeater Gin, Lillet Blanc, Absinthe, Lemon & Simple Syrup

Sunday Only

Half Rack of Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, House Made Cole Slaw and House BBQ Sauce for $18

M’tucci’s Moderno

6 oz. Beef Tenderloin: Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $32

Pan-Seared Yellowtail: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $21

Beef Tortellini: Cajun Spiced Beef Tips, Tomatoes, Green Onion, Rosa Sauce & Gorgonzola Cheese $19

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

7 oz. Chianina Flatiron Steak: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $27

7 oz. Pan-Seared Ono: Seared Artichokes, Grilled Escarole, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $24

Skin-On Calabrian Braised Salmon, Creamy Pesto Polenta, Caramelized Onions, Citrus Vinaigrette Dressed Greens $21

Gelato: Chocolate Cake

Sorbetto: Cherry Limoncello

M’tucci’s Catering

Brunch, Lunch, Dinner or a party, your place, our place or an event center. You bring the people, we’ll bring the food. Here are a few photos from the Mother’s Day Brunch at Gruet Winery.