February 13 is a day to savor Italy’s culinary charm with National Tortellini Day! Known for its delightful shape and delicious fillings, tortellini is a pasta with rich Italian roots and a unique history that dates back to the Emilia-Romagna region. This day is the perfect opportunity to dive into the story of tortellini, learn more about its background, and, of course, enjoy a bowl of this cherished pasta.
The Background of Tortellini
Tortellini’s origins are steeped in Italian legend. The story goes that an innkeeper, inspired by the beauty of a goddess, created tortellini to resemble her navel. However, the pasta’s true history points to the Emilia-Romagna region, particularly the towns of Bologna and Modena. These towns still claim tortellini as their own, often debating its “true” origin. Traditionally, tortellini is filled with a blend of meats, cheeses, and sometimes even vegetables, then served in a rich broth. Over time, tortellini has gained popularity worldwide, with countless variations in fillings and sauces.
When is National Tortellini Day?
National Tortellini Day takes place every February 13, offering a mid-winter excuse to warm up with a comforting bowl of pasta. If you’re marking your calendar, here’s when National Tortellini Day falls over the next several years:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 13, Thursday |
| 2026 | February 13, Friday |
| 2027 | February 13, Saturday |
| 2028 | February 13, Sunday |
| 2029 | February 13, Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 13, Wednesday |
So next February 13, celebrate National Tortellini Day with a tribute to Italy’s iconic pasta. It’s a perfect excuse to indulge in a flavorful meal, honoring the rich heritage of this delightful dish!
How to Celebrate National Tortellini Day
National Tortellini Day brings a perfect opportunity to celebrate Italy’s culinary traditions. This February 13, enjoy the flavors of tortellini by exploring these engaging ways to mark the day with authentic Italian flair:
- Share Your Celebration on Social Media: Capture photos of your tortellini creations or gatherings, and share them with #NationalTortelliniDay. Connect with other tortellini fans and enjoy a day dedicated to this delightful dish!
- Make Tortellini from Scratch: Experience the joy of crafting tortellini by hand, from rolling out the dough to cutting circles and filling each piece with a flavorful blend. It’s a satisfying way to connect with Italian tradition.
- Explore Traditional Recipes: Try classic recipes from the Emilia-Romagna region for an authentic tortellini experience. Traditional fillings like ricotta, prosciutto, and Parmesan cheese served in a rich broth allow you to savor tortellini as it was originally enjoyed.
- Dine at a Local Italian Restaurant: Skip the cooking and head to a local Italian eatery to taste their version of tortellini. Restaurants often offer unique variations and sauces, putting their own special twist on this classic pasta.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
