Three Bridges Celebrates National Ravioli Day with Fun Facts

BENICIA, Calif., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To foodies and people who love their pasta, March 20 marks an important national holiday celebrating the popular, tasty pillow-shaped pasta known as ravioli, which date back to the writings of Francesco di Marco, a merchant of Prato in the 14th century. In honor of National Ravioli Day, Three Bridges—the largest manufacturer of ravioli in the U.S.—is paying homage to the celebrated Italian dumplings as one of America's top three preferred pasta types*. The company, a leading innovator of refrigerated, chef-crafted pastas, sauces and meals, has compiled several "Ravioli Fun Facts" and is encouraging people to commemorate the holiday by cooking up a batch of homemade filled pasta (just like Mamma used to make), or enjoy some of Three Bridges' delicious and ready-to-eat, refrigerated ravioli options for a quick and convenient meal made from premium natural and organic ingredients.

"For centuries, pasta has brought families together, and today serves as a reminder that good food lives at the heart of good living," said Diana Wang, Three Bridges vice president of marketing and product development. "At Three Bridges, we deliver what people enjoy most about a homemade meal—real, quality ingredients and incredible taste—without all the fuss. For this festive holiday or any day of the week, we are modernizing mealtime so that you can spend time on things and people that really matter."

Here are a few fun facts from Three Bridges that can help put this famed pocket of pasta into perspective:   

1. The name "ravioli" is derived from the old Italian word riavvolgere  (to wrap)
2. This meal time favorite was traditionally served in a vegetarian form on Fridays throughout Italy
3. In the past, raviolis were just a fancy way to recycle leftovers, but today you'll find a variety of elegant fillings ranging from gourmet cheeses, butternut squash, kale & spinach, wild mushrooms, lobster, and chicken
4. The city of Cremona claims to have created ravioli, but Genoa also insists it comes from their dialect word for pasta, rabiole, which means "something of little value" and referred to the practice of poor sailors who stuffed leftovers into pasta to be eaten for another meal
5. Stuffed pasta dishes can be found in many cultures, and have been made for centuries: China has the wonton, India has its samosa and gujiya, and Jewish cuisine has kreplach
6. Serving ravioli with tomato based sauces didn't start until the 16^th century when tomatoes were introduced to Italy from the New World
7. Three Bridges uses 4,000,000 pounds of vegetables per year in its raviolis

Three Bridges offers a variety of filled pasta, from its Five Cheese Ravioli and Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Ravioli, to its Superfood Spinach & Kale Ravioli and Mushroom Ravioli. Three Bridges is available at retail locations nationwide, including select Raley's, Albertson's, Safeway's and Target stores. For more information about Three Bridges' products, including recipes and "where to buy" details, please visit www.ThreeBridges.com.  

About Three Bridges
Founded in 2014, Three Bridges is a family-owned company comprised of chefs, food scientists and food lovers on a mission to innovate the refrigerated foods aisle with an inspired line of fresh, deliciously accessible line of chef-crafted meals, natural filled and cut pastas and sauces, made from premium natural and organic ingredients. Providing a welcome break from boring menus, Three Bridges foods take people on a culinary adventure to explore a world of unexpected tastes and flavors, while simultaneously delivering what people most enjoy about a homemade meal—real, quality ingredients and incredible taste—without all the fuss. As a part of Valley Fine Foods, Three Bridges is made and manufactured proudly in California and North Carolina, where its commitment to good living is reflected in the company's use of green energy, and earth-friendly packaging, and growing line of certified organic offerings. Three Bridges' chef-inspired foods are available at specialty retailers and grocery retailers nationwide including Raley's and Target.

For additional information, please visit us online www.ThreeBridges.com.               

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*According to a recent independent survey of 1,006 people conducted by Three Bridges 

Contact: Stephanie Proos
(619)234-0345
[email protected]

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SOURCE Three Bridges

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