Versilia Flavors: Discovering the Tordelli of Camaiore
Monday, March 31, 2025,
A beloved dish, a village competition, and a golden prize in the Tuscan hills
Filled pasta is a timeless dish, found all over the world - from Italy to Asia, from Germany to Argentina - each place with its own shape, ingredients, and traditions. In Italy alone, there are more than 70 types of filled pasta, from Bologna’s tortellini to Liguria’s pansoti.Here in Camaiore, a charming town nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Versilian coast, the local treasure is called Tordelli: a hearty, meat-filled pasta that speaks of Sundays at home, handwritten recipes, and the unmistakable scent of ragù simmering on the stove.Each family has its own secret version, but they all share that generous filling, tender egg pasta, and the joy of bringing people together. And every year, this simple dish becomes the star of a culinary contest: the Tordello d’Oro, a competition that crowns the best tordelli in Versilia.In 2025, the final night of the contest was hosted by the historic Emilio e Bona trattoria in Lombrici, which also took home the coveted prize. The finalists included Ristorante Raffaello from Levigliani and Ristopasta in Camaiore—three excellent ambassadors of local flavor.The Main Filling IngredientsThe filling for tordelli is made with pork, beef, and sometimes even a touch of prosciutto crudo. Adding pecorino cheese and garlic gives the dish an intense, traditional flavor. The dough is made with flour, eggs, and a bit of extra virgin olive oil, which gives it a soft and delicate texture but is still strong enough to hold the filling.Cooking and DressingOnce prepared, the tordelli are boiled in salted water and then dressed with a hearty meat ragù, which is the true king of the dish. The most traditional version uses a simple ragù made with minced meat, tomato, and a sauté of onion, carrot, and celery. However, there are also restaurants that offer more refined variations, such as a white ragù, where the tomato is replaced with a Parmesan cream and extra virgin olive oil.
Where to Taste the Tordelli in Versilia?In Versilia, nearly every traditional restaurant serves tordelli with ragù. But how to choose where to go?Since 2022, the local magazine Paspartu Magazine has organized the Tordello d’Oro, a competition between restaurateurs that is primarily a way to celebrate a dish that is symbolic of the area. It’s not about declaring one winner: there is no official recipe or standard, each kitchen – professional or home-based – has its version.There are tordelli with thicker or thinner edges, fillings in different proportions, dough rolled by hand or by machine, and classic or creative sauces. Unforgettable are the Tordelli di Vittoriano from the restaurant La Dogana in Capezzano, served in white, with extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan: out of competition, but forever in everyone’s heart.Among the finalists of the Tordello d’Oro editions, you will find: • Emilio e Bona - Lombrici • Ristorante Raffaello – Levigliani • Ristopasta – Camaiore • Osteria Il Vignaccio – Santa Lucia • Il Soggiorno – Pedona • La Piazza – Strettoia • Vino e Merendino – Capezzano Pianore • Trattoria Da Demè – Vallecchia • Ristorante Bernardone – Nocchi • Caffè Centrale – Camaiore • Trattoria Beppino – Valdicastello • Ristorante Rina – CorsanicoTry more than one place: each one tells its own version of this dish!Want to try making tordelli at home? Discover the full recipe here and bring a piece of Versilia to your kitchen!
Where to Taste the Tordelli in Versilia?In Versilia, nearly every traditional restaurant serves tordelli with ragù. But how to choose where to go?Since 2022, the local magazine Paspartu Magazine has organized the Tordello d’Oro, a competition between restaurateurs that is primarily a way to celebrate a dish that is symbolic of the area. It’s not about declaring one winner: there is no official recipe or standard, each kitchen – professional or home-based – has its version.There are tordelli with thicker or thinner edges, fillings in different proportions, dough rolled by hand or by machine, and classic or creative sauces. Unforgettable are the Tordelli di Vittoriano from the restaurant La Dogana in Capezzano, served in white, with extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan: out of competition, but forever in everyone’s heart.Among the finalists of the Tordello d’Oro editions, you will find: • Emilio e Bona - Lombrici • Ristorante Raffaello – Levigliani • Ristopasta – Camaiore • Osteria Il Vignaccio – Santa Lucia • Il Soggiorno – Pedona • La Piazza – Strettoia • Vino e Merendino – Capezzano Pianore • Trattoria Da Demè – Vallecchia • Ristorante Bernardone – Nocchi • Caffè Centrale – Camaiore • Trattoria Beppino – Valdicastello • Ristorante Rina – CorsanicoTry more than one place: each one tells its own version of this dish!Want to try making tordelli at home? Discover the full recipe here and bring a piece of Versilia to your kitchen!
Versilia Flavors: Discovering the Tordelli of Camaiore: Read More
Lucca: a city on a human scale
Monday, March 17, 2025,
If you're planning a visit to Lucca, here’s a practical and engaging guide to discovering its wonders: from churches to palaces, from museums to towers.
Lucca is the perfect destination for a long weekend. It’s a compact city, which you can cross in less than an hour from Porta Santa Maria to Porta Elisa. But its true charm unfolds when you explore it at a leisurely pace, especially in spring, when flowers bloom and the setting sun paints its majestic walls in a warm red hue.The Walls of Lucca: a walk through historyThe Renaissance walls, a UNESCO heritage site, are the ideal starting point for exploring the city. Walking or cycling along them offers a unique panorama of towers, churches, and red rooftops. It’s an unmissable experience for photography lovers and anyone seeking a relaxing moment immersed in history.Piazza dell’Anfiteatro: the beating heart of the cityOne of Lucca’s most iconic symbols is Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built on the ruins of an ancient Roman theater. It still retains its elliptical shape and some remnants of the original walls. It’s the perfect spot for a break at one of the many cafés that surround it, offering a unique and evocative atmosphere.Lucca: the city of towers and churchesIn the Middle Ages, Lucca boasted as many as 130 towers. Today, two remain open to visitors:Torre Guinigi, famous for its rooftop garden featuring centuries-old holm oaks that rise above the city and can be seen from every corner. Climbing its 230 steps rewards visitors with a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding hills.Torre delle Ore, which still houses its ancient mechanical clock, one of the most fascinating in Tuscany.Lucca’s churches are a treasure trove of art and spirituality. Three are particularly worth a visit:San Michele in Foro, with its incredible façade decorated with arches and bas-reliefs. At the top stands the Archangel Michael, with a legend tied to a mysterious precious stone embedded in his statue.The Cathedral of San Martino, home to the Volto Santo, a wooden crucifix venerated for centuries. Inside, you’ll also find the famous sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia.The Basilica of San Frediano, with its golden mosaic on the façade and the chapel of Santa Zita, the city’s patron saint, whose incorrupt body is displayed in a glass case.Giacomo Puccini: the Genius of LuccaLucca is also the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, one of the greatest opera composers of all time. His birthplace in Piazza Cittadella is now a museum, where visitors can learn anecdotes about his life and see the instruments he used to compose masterpieces like La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly. For music lovers, the Church of San Giovanni hosts concerts dedicated to his works.Palazzo Pfanner: a corner of eleganceBuilt in 1660, Palazzo Pfanner is a Baroque gem with a magnificent Italian-style garden adorned with mythological statues and fountains. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic stroll or to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of bygone times.Discover Lucca with us!Visiting Lucca is not just a journey through art and history but an immersive experience filled with legends and traditions. Every corner hides a fascinating detail, and every street tells a story.The best way to experience the city is to stay for a while, choosing accommodation in the heart of the historic center or in one of the splendid villas in the surrounding countryside.Find the perfect home for your stay at Tuscan Houses!