25. Missouri - Toasted Ravioli

25. Missouri - Toasted Ravioli

Ravioli in itself is already delicious, but deep-fried ravioli, better known as toasted ravioli in the state of Missouri has taken the Italian stuffed pasta to the next level making it a foundational appetizer in the Show-Me State. The toasted ravioli craze can be traced back to two St. Louis-based restaurants, Mama Campisi's and Charlie Gitto's, both eateries located in the Italian St. Louis neighborhood known as 'The Hill.' While both establishments might be feuding over who created the savory treat, they both can claim that they started a movement that has now spread not only throughout Missouri but the entire country.

A golden-brown, fried ravioli square stuffed with seasoned meat, spinach, and cheese, topped with dashes of garlic, herbs, and parmesan originano served with a marinara dipping sauce is the traditional way it is served in Missouri. But an upscale, barbecue joint by the name of Salt + Smoke in St. Louis has upped the ante but stuffing their ravioli with burnt ends, fried them to a crisp, and serve them with a side of rich white barbecue sauce.

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Did You Know...

I

Most of your favorite celebrities either studied acting in college or went straight from high school into a life of the arts. But, hey, not all of them. Some celebrities actually have advanced college degrees.

II

Turns out Mayim Bialik is just as much of a genius as the one she plays on The Big Bang Theory. She earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles, focusing on obsessive compulsive disorder among people with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare condition in which the hypothalamus malfunctions.

III

Little known fact: Natalie Portman skipped the premiere of Star Wars: Phantom Menace because she was studying for her high school exams. She had two papers published in scientific journals while she was still in high school, and graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Psychology.

IV

Before he was looking for answers on X-Files, David Duchovny was just trying to find the answers for English finals at Princeton University90. David graduated from Princeton in 1982 with a B.A in English. He continued to feed his love of literature by receiving a master’s degree in English Literature at Yale University. David was an excellent writer and poet. His work consistently received praise by his fellow classmates and teachers at Yale. His writing was even nominated for a college prize by the Academy of American Poets.

V

Sigourney Weaver graduated from Stanford University in 1971 with a bachelor’s in Literature. It was while studying at Stanford that Sigourney realized her true passion in life was to become an actress. Shortly after graduation, she attended Yale for their well-known drama program. She would go on to receive a master’s in Acting from Yale University and become friends with fellow famous actress Meryl Streep.

VI

Meryl Streep is considered one of the most successful actresses of all time. She is also one of the most highly educated. Before collecting an array of Oscars, Meryl collected diplomas. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in 1971. Meryl has a habit of being unsatisfied with impressive accomplishments as her acting career has shown, so she attended Yale University and earned a master’s degree in Acting.

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