Where did the word "Manicotti" come from?

Question

My four-year old asked me one night: "Why is it called Manicotti? Why isn't it called "Girlicotti?" We had a good laugh, but it made me wonder why it's called that. I've searched, but all I could find that it is called that in the US, but called cannelloni elsewhere. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Hi,
I am from Italy and your question let me curious too!

Cannelloni is the name used in Italian, but Manicotti I've never heard referred to that dish.
In my country 'manicotto' is a diminutive for 'manica' that means 'sleeve', probably because of the shape of the cannelloni that are like small cylinders of pasta.

I've heard a new word, thank you!

Answer 2

What is the difference between Tortellini and Tortelloni?
The only difference is the size of the pasta. Tortelloni are slightly larger (5 grams) than the Tortellini (2 grams). Tortellini comes in Three Cheese and Cheese and Spinach flavors. It was made smaller so that it would be versatile in making meals for young children as well as adults.

The difference between the two shapes also really depends on usage. Traditionally, tortellini is often cooked in a simple broth – “Tortellini in Brodo”. Tortellini is also great with just a little olive oil and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Tortelloni, due to its larger size, can be used with more substantial butter-based, dairy-based or smooth vegetable-based sauces.

What is the origin of Tortellini?
Legend claims that Tortellini was inspired by the goddess Venus’ navel. An Italian medieval legend tells how Venus and Zeus, weary one night after their involvement in a battle between Bologna and Modena, arrive at a tavern in a small town on the outskirts of Bologna. After eating a hearty dinner and becoming slightly drunk, they decide to share a bedroom. The innkeeper, captivated after watching them, creeps to their room and peeks through the keyhole of the bedroom door. However, all he can see through the keyhole is the naval of Venus. This vision leaves him spellbound – so much so that he immediately rushes to the kitchen and creates a pasta inspired by Venus’ navel…and so was born the Tortellini.