Ferrara pumpkin cappellacci IGP

The first traces of pumpkin cappellacci appear in 1584 in the book ‘Dello Scalco’ by Giovan Battista Rossetti, court steward at the time of Duke Alfonso II d'Este in Ferrara, where several variations of ‘Tortelli di zucca’ are reported.

The dialect term “caplaz" derives from the shape of the product, which resembles a farmer's straw hat. The type of pumpkin used for the filling is the Violina pumpkin, a variety grown in the province of Ferrara, known for its firm texture and sweet flavour. Today, cappellaccio di zucca is a PGI product and a symbol of traditional Ferrara cuisine. 

The classic combinations are with butter and sage or with meat sauce, the latter being probably the most traditional and providing an excellent contrast between the sweetness of the pumpkin and the savoury taste of the sauce.

The use of contrasting sweet and savoury flavours is typical of the Renaissance period, when several traditional Ferrara dishes were created.