Tortelli di erbetta
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Tortelli di erbetta are square pockets of egg pasta filled with chard (erbetta) and ricotta, dressed only with melted butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Menus call this dressing "alla parmigiana". There is no sauce to hide behind, so the pasta has to be thin and the filling fresh.
They are cheap. On September 29, 2026, a plate cost €11 at Trattoria del Tribunale and €13 at Trattoria Ai Due Platani. They also carry a date: Parma eats them on the night of San Giovanni, June 23.
At a glance
- What it is
- Egg pasta filled with erbetta (chard) and ricotta, dressed alla parmigiana: melted butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Price
- €11 at Trattoria del Tribunale; €13 at Trattoria Ai Due Platani (plus €2 cover), menus checked September 29, 2026.
- The custom
- Tortelli d'erbetta are the traditional dish of the night of San Giovanni, June 23–24.
- Vegetarian?
- The filling and dressing are meat-free. Ask if the kitchen uses animal rennet cheese if that matters to you; Parmigiano is made with rennet.
- Learn to make them
- A 3-hour class in central Parma teaches this exact pasta for €89, sold on GetYourGuide.
In this guide
The night of June 23
The night between June 23 and 24, the feast of St John the Baptist, is an old midsummer festival in Emilia. Families leave bowls of herbs on the windowsill to catch the "rugiada di San Giovanni", the saint's dew, and wash their faces in the water the next morning. Along the Via Emilia, the food of that night is tortelli d'erbetta, with walnut liqueur (nocino) started from green walnuts picked the same day. The Fritto Misto food newsletter describes both customs and gives Parma's tortelli recipe.
If you are in Parma in late June, look for "tortellata di San Giovanni" dinners, where tortelli are served by the platter. We found no 2026 listing for a city event, so check with the tourist office at Strada Garibaldi 18.
Where to eat them and what they cost
| Restaurant | As listed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Trattoria del Tribunale | Tortelli d'erbetta | €11 |
| Trattoria del Tribunale | Tortelli tasting plate | €13 |
| Trattoria Ai Due Platani | Tortelli di erbetta | €13 |
| Ristorante Cocchi | Tortelli di erbette alla parmigiana; tris of erbette, pumpkin and potato | Not printed |
The tasting plates are the smart order: at Cocchi the "tris" puts chard, pumpkin and potato-and-porcini tortelli on one plate. Tribunale also makes tortelli with ricotta and spalla cotta for €12, and pumpkin tortelli (tortelli di zucca) for €11. Pumpkin is the autumn and Christmas Eve filling; chard is the one you can order in any month.
Tortelli or anolini?
They are opposites. Anolini are small, meat-filled and served in broth; tortelli are big, green and served in butter. At Tribunale they are €13 and €11. Two people should order one of each and share. Finish either with more Parmigiano, and pair with a glass of dry Malvasia (see Lambrusco and Malvasia).
Making them yourself
The Host Parma, in the historic center, runs a 3-hour fresh pasta class for a maximum of eight people that teaches tortelli d'erbetta. GetYourGuide listed it at €89 per person on September 29, 2026, with Parmigiano and wine on arrival and a Parma dessert at the end. It had only eight reviews. Details and an alternative in the hills are on our cooking class page.
Tickets and tours you can book
From Parma: Parmesan, Parma Ham & Balsamic Vinegar Tour
Meets at the Toschi car park, 10-12 minutes' walk from the station. Minimum two people. Lunch with wine is included.
Rating as shown on GetYourGuide
Pasta, Truffle & Wine in a Medieval Village Near Parma
Transport is not in the price; a transfer from central Parma can be arranged when booking. The listing puts Calestano about 40 minutes away.
Rating as shown on Viator
Taste Parma: A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better
Max 12. The guide may switch between English and Italian. Guests with severe food allergies cannot join. Also sold on GetYourGuide.
Rating as shown on Viator
Booking through these links supports this site at no cost to you. Prices move by date, so we do not print them here; the official prices we checked are in the page above.
Frequently asked questions
What are tortelli di erbetta?
Square egg pasta filled with chard (erbetta) and ricotta, served with melted butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
How much are tortelli di erbetta in Parma?
€11 at Trattoria del Tribunale and €13 at Trattoria Ai Due Platani on menus checked September 29, 2026.
Why do people in Parma eat tortelli on June 23?
It is the night of San Giovanni, an old midsummer feast. Tortelli d'erbetta are its traditional dish in Parma, alongside the custom of collecting the saint's dew.
Are tortelli di erbetta vegetarian?
The filling and dressing contain no meat. Parmigiano Reggiano is made with animal rennet, which matters to some vegetarians.
Further reading
Official sources
- Trattoria del Tribunale - live menu, primi (leggimenu) – Tortelli d'erbetta €11; tortelli tasting €13; tortelli di ricotta e spalla cotta €12; checked September 29, 2026
- Trattoria Ai Due Platani - menu, spring 2026 (PDF) – Tortelli di erbetta €13; cover €2
- Ristorante Cocchi - menu of September 27, 2026 (PDF) – Tortelli di erbette alla parmigiana; tris of tortelli; no prices printed
- Fritto Misto (food newsletter) - I riti del solstizio d'estate e della notte di San Giovanni – Night of June 23-24, rugiada di San Giovanni, tortelli d'erbetta of Parma and nocino as the feast's foods
- Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano - FAQ (official) – Made of milk, salt and rennet
- GetYourGuide - Parma fresh pasta experience in the old town – The Host Parma; €89; 3 hours; max 8; tortelli d'erbetta; 8 reviews; checked September 29, 2026
