Tortelli, tortelloni

These are the ravioli of Lombardy and are always vegetarian. In northern Lombardy the stuffing is potato or spinach (the local crops) with ricotta, Parmesan and eggs. In the southern part of the region the traditional tortelli are filled with pumpkin plus crumbled amaretti, ricotta, eggs and sometimes chopped mostarda di Cremona, the spicy local fruit relish, one of the glories of the town of Cremona – after the Stradivarius violins.