The story
Sorrentinos, large round pasta pockets usually filled with ham and mozzarella, are an Argentine creation with no exact match in Italy, though they resemble the ravioli of Capri. The most widely told story places their birth in Mar del Plata, the Atlantic beach resort, among families from Sorrento. The Véspoli family, who came from Sorrento in 1890, say Argentino "Chiche" Véspoli began perfecting the recipe around 1946, a claim recognised by Sorrento's town council. Other accounts credit the Pérsico family, a local restaurant called Sorrento, or an Italian eatery in Buenos Aires. The family's trattoria in La Perla still serves them.
Rival claims
Buenos Aires (some accounts credit an Italian restaurant there called Sorrento or Sorrentino). Mar del Plata's Véspoli family is officially recognised.
Also known as sorrentino, sorrentinos de jamón y queso.
On the Meridish menu
Sorrentinos was the rice & noodles course on menu No. 15 on October 15, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
Big round pasta pockets stuffed with ham and cheese, named after a town in Italy. Immigrants from there created them in this seaside resort; a few say it was the capital.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
- es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorrentinos
- canal26.com/turismo/lejos-de-italia-una-de-las-pastas-ricas-y-consumidas-nacio-en-mar-del-plata-y-podes-visitar-el-lugar--407368
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
