Pasta Treat

Judging by the number of people in the supermarket today, the focus for Christmas for a good many families is going to centre on food.
There were few people carrying shopping baskets, and I quickly found your stood the risk of being buffeted by shopping trolleys, piled high with food.
I am not sure how you can possibly eat that much, even with all the family visiting. And the supermarket is only closed for one day!
So my lunch today purposely modest — a dish of tortellini.
Not everyone’s favourite I know, but a rare treat for me and brings back memories of many delicious pasta based meals I have enjoyed in Italy.
Tortellini are one of the curiosities perhaps because of their navel shape, and are often called “belly button” or in Italian, ombellico.
You can find them readily on supermarket shelves here, often filled with pork, ham or cheese.
They originate from the region of Italy around Bologna and Modena, and it was on visits to that region of Emilia that I first enjoyed them and developed a taste.
Italian folk lore will come up with several romantic but probably make-believe theories as to their origin, but all seem to have sprung from that ‘ombelico’ connection!

Nevertheless, a light and tasty dish prior to Christmas!