What is "corzetti"

Corzetti (in Genoese dialect curzetti) are a kind of fresh pasta typical of the Ligurian cuisine of north-west Italy, and traditional also in the area of Novi Ligure just across the border with Piedmont in the Province of Alessandria. They are similar to another Ligurian pasta called Croxetti.

There are two different kinds of corzetti. Those from the Val Polcevera, one of the principal valleys of the area of Genoa are made in "figure of eight" shape. Elsewhere curzetti stampae (“pressed” or “stamped” corzetti) are found. These are small, thin rounds of pasta that are given an embossed decoration using a special wooden hand-tool. The embossing is indeed more than decoration, as it helps the pasta to hold its sauce better. In the historic centre of Genoa are still traditional pasta shops where the corzetti are handmade and where they make these tools to make them with.

Besides the artisanal production, corzetti are also made on an industrial basis using ravioli machines made by such companies as Arienti & Cattaneo, Ima, Ostoni and Zamboni.