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Italian Fare, Charlotte, Hickory, Mooresville, huntersville, Italian food, authentic Italian, Italian restaurant, Lake Norman
Italian food is one of the most popular ethnic cuisines in America. For example, pizza, spaghetti, and Parmigiana are just a few favorite dishes. Among them, one particular Italian meal is extremely versatile. Boiled or toasted, there’s no denying ravioli’s universal appeal. When you’re craving crispy, fried ravioli near you, visit Tony’s Pizza.
Typically, you cook pasta in a large bowl of salted, boiling water. However, ravioli is unique in that you can choose one of several methods to cook it:
Steaming, poaching, and even baking ravioli are much less common than boiling or frying. And while boiling them is the traditional, classic way, it’s easy to under- or overcook them. Another popular preparation method is frying them. After lightly breading them, chefs deep fry them to produce a golden, crispy treat.
Like many other traditional dishes in Italy, the ravioli recipe changes by city, town, village, and family. Furthermore, by altering the filling, you can create an entirely new flavor. Classic to exotic, savory to sweet, the combinations are seemingly endless. For example, distinct areas of Italy typically stuff the pasta with specific fillings:
Here in America, beef and cheese are the popular filling varieties. However, some restaurants may serve other filling combinations. Moreover, instead of simply boiling ravioli and serving them in sauce, some eateries deep fry ravioli.
Italians have enjoyed ravioli served in broth for centuries. Square, round, or half-moon shape, ravioli made its appearance sometime in the 14th century. Some historians believe Genovese sailors first made these dough pockets to add variety to their diet. The sailors would wrap leftover portions of their meals to create this meal.
If true, this would explain the origins of the word. The Italian word for “to wrap” is “riavvolgere”, later shortened to ravioli.
T-ravs, toasted, or fried ravioli became popular in the Midwest around the 1940s. However, the exact origins of this preparation method are murky. Several restaurants in St. Louis claim ownership of the recipe when a chef accidentally dropped ravioli in oil. Yet, people in the Abruzzo region of Italy have been making a sweetened, fried version much longer.
Sometimes called caggionetti, or calcionetti, these pastry-like ravioli are a favorite Christmas cookie. Typically, Italians stuff it with walnuts, chestnuts, or almonds, flavored with honey, chocolate, or lemon zest. Then, they fry the pastry in oil and serve it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Whether you believe Italians or Missourians invented toasted ravioli, you can’t deny its crispy goodness. Its golden brown exterior, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, and dipped in marinara sauce is simply irresistible.
Ravioli may seem pretty basic, with its thin sheets of pasta stuffed with cheese or other fillings. However, most frozen supermarket offerings can’t compare with fresh, authentically made Italian ravioli.
At Tony’s Pizza, we always begin with fresh ingredients. Furthermore, we follow the time-honored traditions when creating our Italian dishes. Hence, our ravioli are pillowy with creamy ricotta cheese for a rich and satisfying meal.
Moreover, we prepare our ravioli either baked or toasted. As an entree, we serve our baked ricotta cheese ravioli with a side salad and garlic knots. Or choose our toasted ravioli. The combination of crispy pasta with soft, gooey cheese is delightfully glorious.
Locals know that for great-tasting fried ravioli near me, Tony’s is the place to go. If you’ve never eaten at our restaurant, you’re missing out on an authentic Italian experience. Below, we answer a few commonly asked questions about our establishments.
Tony’s Pizza has an extensive and varied menu. Our specialty is NY style pizza with its thin, crispy crust. We offer several sizes with plenty of toppings to create your perfect pie. Or, you can choose one of our specialty pies with our unique blend of toppings:
Moreover, we also offer a cauliflower and gluten free crust for diners with special dietary restrictions. However, we don’t have dedicated cooking areas, and cross-contamination can occur.
Additionally, our menu includes other Italian dishes:
Plus, we offer a wide variety of appetizers, salads, and desserts. We even have a kids’ menu with affordably priced options.
You’ll find Tony’s located throughout the greater Charlotte area:
Absolutely! We have both daily specials and luncheon specials to help you stretch your dollar. You can view these by clicking on the 3 green bars in the top right corner and choosing menu. After picking your location, click on the red button under “Choose a Category”, then “Specials”.
Moreover, we also announce limited-time offers on social media. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, so you never miss a deal!
March 20th, but you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy delicious fried ravioli near you! Come visit us at Tony’s Pizza, and we’ll prepare some, especially for you!