Know Your Pasta with this guide!

Several folks in our office like to haunt this tiny eatery nearby that dishes out an awesome plate of

pasta in white sauce with lots of veggies tossed in. That’s the thing about pasta – it’s become one of

the most-loved dishes in India and we know lots of people who count pasta as their favourite dish.

Pasta is a carbohydrate made from grain flour – generally wheat, mixed with water, or flour and

eggs. The ingredients are mixed into dough which is then kneaded and rolled, and sliced into a

variety of shapes.

It is of course – Italian – and it is unimaginable to think of Italian cuisine without a plate of pasta and

some great wine. Pasta was invented by the Italians and since then occupies a place of pride in their

kitchens. They love it so much that October 25th is celebrated as World Pasta Day! From Italy, pasta

traveled with Italian immigrants to the United States. Before long, pasta was eaten all around the

world, and the rest ‘is history’!

There are more than 600 pastas shapes produced worldwide. Usually, the best quality pasta is made

from durum wheat. The most interesting thing is that the names actually mean something (about

place of origin and shape) and yes, most of the times you don’t pronounce it right! Let’s find out

about some of the common and also about unfamiliar pastas.

Wait! Are we forgetting something? Ah yes, the pasta sauces…the sauce that we put over our

spaghettis and lasagne is a matter of preference. The general rule of thumb is the lighter the pasta,

the lighter the sauce must be. There’s no such thing as a wrong pasta recipe or wrong pasta sauce,

but it is true that certain shapes are best paired with certain sauces. So here’s the ultimate guide:

1. Spaghetti

Kids love spaghetti! The classic, thin and long sticks magically transform into such a comforting

meal. Spaghetti is thick enough to add dollops of meat sauce on it and thin enough that it’d be

good with cream sauce or even light dressing with olive oil. Do remember to cook the noodles

well (Indians don’t really do al dente) to avoid getting caught in a starchy and tangled mess.

2. Fusilli

The word fusilli mean ‘little spindles’. These are spiral-shaped short-cut pasta that can be topped

with just about any sauce. These can be added to soups or can be made into an excellent pasta

salad. They bake perfectly in casseroles.

3. Gemelli

The word ‘gemelli’ loosely translates to ‘twins’. The pasta looks like two short strands twisted

together. In fact, it is single S-shaped pasta twisted in loose spiral. It goes well with cream, meat,

seafood and vegetable sauces.

4. Conchiglie

The conch shell-shaped pasta is the most familiar of them all but most of us have a hard time

pronouncing it. It’s best served with meat sauce or tomato sauce or in pasta salads. These conch

shells also make an amazing addition to soups.

Fun Recipe: Stuff the shells with taco seasoning, top with salsa sauce and bake for a great Mexican

dish! You can also try creating your own stuffed delight.

5. Farfalle

Isn’t this the ‘prettiest’ pasta to look at? The ‘butterfly’ or ‘bow-tie’ pasta is a very popular shape and

is also available in mixed colors. This can brighten any meal with its delightful form. It is often served

with thick sauces, as salads or as an addition to soups. A favourite with kids primarily because they

look Oh.So.Pretty!

6. Penne

This is one of the most popular pasta shapes around. The word ‘penne’ literally means ‘quills’. These

are tubes of pasta cut diagonally at both ends making it look like fountain pen tip. The next time you

get yourself a bowl, don’t forget to check! The pasta is served best with thick sauces, and is also

good for pan-frying.

7. Gnocchi

My personal favourite! Gnocchi is said to have originated from the Middle East. Gnocchi are thumb-

sized pasta made from boiled mashed potatoes. These are served with luscious sauces like tomato,

butter mixed with aromatic herbs.

8. Capellini

Capellini or angel hair pastas are fine stands of pasta which cook super-quick and absorb all the

sauces in a flash of time. It’s a bit like spaghetti only finer. These wispy strands are often served with

delicate sauces thin broths.

9. Fettuccine

This is an egg-pasta which is cut into long and narrow ribbon-like strips. It is served with rich creamy

sauces, just like in classic Fettuccine Alfredo recipe, which made from pasta tossed in thick sauce

made of Parmesan cheese and butter. It is in fact quite versatile and can be paired with vegetables

and cream- or cheese-based sauces.

10. Lasagna

‘Lasagna’ is a single sheet of flat pasta and more than one pasta sheet is ‘Lasagne’ in Italian. It is

arguably the oldest forms of pasta. Often found with curly edges, it is traditionally served layered

with tomato sauce or white sauce (also, béchamel sauce) & meat or vegetables and then baked in a

casserole.

Hmmm…hope the next time your order your favourite pasta, you will at least pronounce it right!

Italians love to have pasta every day, but it certainly doesn’t appear on their waistlines. That’s coz

they keep their portions under check and only eat about a cup full at one meal. The carbs are

accompanied with a portion of meat and lots and lots of green salad.

So what’s on your plate today? Please do share with us your favorite pasta recipe.