Geographical Spread

The most likely scenario for the spread of the tortellini is that it originated in the area of Bologna and then spread throughout the Emilia-Bologna region as other cities in the region, especially Modena, share a passion for the dumpling. At this time, Italy was ruled by various regional nations, which limited the spread of the dumpling, but that it did not completely stop its spread in Italy. During the Napoleonic Wars in 1796, Napoleon and France conquered Northern Italy, including the Emilia-Bologna region and that promoted the spread of the tortellini though Europe. Tortellini alla Bolognese was one of, the wife of Napoleon, Marie Louise’s favorite dishes. Her cook, Vincenzo Agnollotti, describes it in a recipe that illustrates the tortellini and its distinctive shape. (Kasper, 75) In the nineteenth century, Italy was united under a single kingdom, which would have promoted its spread throughout the country and even further in Europe. Through the mass emigration of Italians to many parts of the world and particularly the United States, the tortellini has spread throughout the world. In addition, with the rise in manufacturing and globalization, tortellini is made and shipped to kitchens across the world. Because of differing origins the tortellini was spread in Italy was not linked to the ravioli, but their global spreads parallel each other.