AS SOON AS The Picky Eater column on the topic of store-bought ravioli hit print, I knew I had touched a nerve -- and made a mistake. I got ten responses, questions and beg-to-differ emails the first day; another ten the next day. More emails continue to arrive.
This next week I will share some pretty convincing recommendations for locally made ravioli that I got from readers, but first, I need to share information on where to find the ones that I tasted and rated highly.
First, a bit of background. For the column, I tasted 3 dozen different ravioli made by 11 different companies, and provided ratings for about a dozen of them. Listed below are my top picks, plus details on where to find them.
Pasta Prima Wild Mushroom Ravioli made by Valley Fine Foods: I love, love, loved these large, puffy rounds are generously packed with a perfect balance of sauteed wild mushrooms and onions, and Parmesan. The company makes a range of other stuffed pastas, including meaty Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella triangle that you can get at Costco. I even liked the Gluten-Free Pumpkin and Sage. An 8-ounce pack of fresh ravioli is $3.99-$4.99 Find the others at Lucky Supermarket.
Monterey Pasta Smoked Mozzarella & Artichoke: I loved the fresh artichoke flavor and the prosciutto-like smokiness of this ravioli. An 8-ounce pack of fresh ravioli is $4.58. I found them at my local Lucky store
Nuovo Spinach, Asiago & Roasted Garlic: Fresh spinach, braised in a cheesy, garlicky sauce, is tucked inside bright green-and-white striped pasta, which makes them perfect for special occasions. If you love mushrooms, the brown and white striped Portabella & Fontina ravioli are just as good. A 9-ounce pack of fresh ravioli is $5.99. Unfortunately, since Nuovo is based in CT and can only be found in stores in that area, we here on the West Coast have to buy online at www.marxfoods.com. I don't know what the shipping runs because the company provided these and about 10 other kinds for me to try. There wasn't a bad ravioli or tortellini in the bunch. Only the gnocchi were a bit odd. (I suggest talking to your local grocer and requesting they add these.)
Pacific Coast All Natural Five Cheese Ravioli: These large, rectangular ravioli that don't have the same "wow" factor as those made with fresh, unexpected flavors, but they're a solid pick for a classic cheese ravioli, with just the right balance of nutty, buttery cheese flavors. An 8-ounce pack of fresh ravioli is $3.50. at Lucky.
My Nonni's Italian Meat Ravioli: Traditionalists who want true Italian-style meat ravioli won't find a better meat-and-greens version than this, which includes veal, beef, pork and Swiss chard. These rich, meaty ravioli are made with all natural and mostly local ingredients, plus Parmigiano-Reggiano. Find them in the freezer section at specialty markets. A 12-ounce pack of frozen ravioli is $6.38 at Andronico's and Lunardi's. My Nonni's also makes a nice frozen meat sauce. It's a touch salty but has good flavor.
Trader Joe's Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomato: Beware of the large selection of fresh ravioli at Trader Joe's They're not all good. I tried three kinds. The frozen Truffle Mushroom was a mushy mess. The Butternut Squash Triangoli were way too sweet, and the Lobster Ravioli smelled and tasted fishy.But these, which are made for Trader Joe's by Bertagni, were good. The blend of tomato and cheese tucked inside pleasantly dense pasta was a win. An 8.8-ounce pack of fresh ravioli is $2.99.