In fact, there is an old trattoria near us; it has been run by the same family for more than half a century.

It is not one of those places (like Hostaria with the "acca" or those with English name and the most incomprehensible... of those, in short, that you immediately understand that they are going to give you the rip-off).

It is not one of those "trendy" (as they say nowadays? My son suggests "trendy" to me.... But, Enrico, do I write it with an "i" or "y" this trendi?!). No, in that REAL trattoria time seems to have stopped... the chairs are what they were 50 years ago, the tablecloths too (..they are still "good", once they are "sgurate" well, why change them?!), and, most important, the dishes served there are "ancient" too...

Three dishes are truly outstanding: THE gnocco fritto (which in Emilia takes the article "THE" and not the article "LO" as the little red-pen teacher would like... ), pumpkin tortelli, and finally, tortelli alle erbette (tortelli with herbs)... The pumpkin ones are a little bit Mantuan style, that is, with a hint of finely crumbled amaretti biscuits, while the ones with herbs (absolutely no ricotta cheese, just herbs, of which you feel not only the flavor but also the scent) are heavenly, especially when enjoyed without meat sauce but with a simple layer of butter and a shower of parmesan cheese.

I forgot: I recommend you order the pumpkin tortelli with "soffritto", that is, with that sauce that, in the days when there was no money to buy meat, ragout, was made with onion and carrot, a little lard, what you had in the garden or at home, in short.

A hearty "sformaggiata" of Parmigiano Reggiano and you will eat that dish as if you were Alberto Sordi from "An American in Rome" struggling with his mother's "maccaroni"!!! With 20/25 euros you will risk a heart attack, but it will be worth it.

One tip: Don't order everything they offer-you'd never be able to devour that everything unless you're a real trucker!