What does “ravioli” mean in Italian? Answer
The word “ravioli” in Italian is the plural form of “raviolo,” and its precise etymology is somewhat debated among linguists, but it is often linked to a meaning of “little turnip” or, more broadly, a concept related to “wrapped” or “encased.” While “little turnip” stems from certain historical dialectal roots, the notion of “wrapped” aligns more directly with the culinary preparation of the dish.
One prevailing theory suggests that “raviolo” is a diminutive of the Old Italian word “rava,” which translates to “turnip,” itself derived from the Latin “rapa.” This connection leads to the interpretation of “ravioli” as “little turnips,” implying that turnips may have been a common or original filling for these pasta pockets, though many historical recipes do not consistently support this. An alternative and perhaps more intuitively fitting theory connects “raviolo” to the verb “riavvolgere,” meaning “to wrap” or “to encase” or “to roll up,” which perfectly describes the process of enveloping a filling within pasta dough.
Source:
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