Pasta Types
Pasta types: there are so many types of dry pasta, so as fresh ones. Usually what changes is the pasta shapes, as the dough is basically the same.
Pasta is amongst the most common dishes all around the world, probably because the dough recipe is made of only flour and water (sometimes also eggs) and the Italian pasta recipes are often healthy and quick to prepare. The first reference to pasta that we have tells of a big "gnocco" (dumpling) that was placed in the sun to dry and needed more than 2 hours to be cooked! |
Later, people began to divide it into smaller pieces, which could be cooked in less time.
In the beginning, it was like bread. The only difference was the yeast. If added, it became bread, if not, it became pasta.
 |
The most known amongst pasta types is spaghetti. It was invented in Naples, Italy and as there was no cutlery during those ancient times, it was caught with fingers, raised and then introduced into the mouth. As time passed by, it became easier to produce it in different shapes and ways, even though the main recipe was always flour and water, sometimes with eggs added. |
There are different types of pasta that contain spinach, mushrooms, cuttlefish ink and other ingredients that give them different colours. All these pasta types increased in number during the last 20 years, as bigger industries began to diversify in shapes the same old product. Barilla even produced (and still produce some of these pasta types) some shapes created by famous designers. |
 |
Amongst pmain pasta types, the authentic Italian lasagna is a great example of a traditional shape of pasta that may have variations, but keeping its main characteristics even from region to region.
There are some ancient recipes, like fregola sarda, that would be difficult to make as they come from the Arabians who colonized Sardinia. This kind of pasta was prepared by putting the wheat on the table and then spraying it with water and quickly shaping it with fingers. Today it can be found in markets, but it is really difficult to make at home.
There's another typical pasta dish from Sardinia called Malloreddus. It used to be prepared by making a long piece of pasta and then cutting it with the thumbs against a grater, to give it that particular shape. Some people still do it at home.
The most famous similar shape is orecchiette pasta for sure. This especialy comes from Puglia Region of Italy. This shape of pasta is often used to prepare broccoli and pasta, typical from this region of South Italy (known also for its exquisite cuisine). |
 |
 |
The main pasta dough recipe is basically the same for all. Often the difference is its shape, or in how much water we used, depending on what we want to do. How to make pasta at home? Nowadays, with the pasta machines, you can make the basic pasta dough and then choose the shape you prefer. |
Most of the time, when we talk about pasta recipies, we don’t mean the pasta types, but the sauces to dress it. Here we really have a lot of choices and it is interesting to take a look at our home cooking pasta tips, because some pasta is more suitable for different seasonings. Click here to go to Italian pasta recipes page.
Find out different types of pasta...
Return from Pasta Types to All About Italian Food homepage
Welcome to my Italian corner to share info, tips and recipes regarding Italian food and culture,
Copyright © 2008-2012 All-About-Italian-Food.com. All Rights reserved
