Say pasta and we drool on, more especially for cold days and nights. Pasta is just heavenly. Known as a staple food for the Italians, pasta has not only graced the Italian cuisine, but is loved world-wide.
Pasta, the Italian comfort food that holds a special place in the hearts of people around the world. It’s versatility, rich history and ability to bring people together at the dinner table make it a culinary masterpiece. Pasta comes in an array of shapes and sizes, and here are the five pasta shapes you can choose to serve your guests;
1. Spaghetti
Is a well-known and well loved shape by many. We kind of all draw to it, over any other pasta. These long, thin strands are best suited for simple, oil-based sauces. In Africa, you think spaghetti, you think Mayonnaise and tomato-sauce, but you can twirl things up and use any other sauce, or rather make your own sauce and add to it.
2. Fettuccine
Wider and thicker than spaghetti, fettuccine translates to ‘little ribbons’ in Italian, and that’s how the pasta looks like. It pairs wonderfully with creamy sauces. You can squirm it with bold sized vegetables, and add tuna to it.
3. Rigatoni
These large, ridged tubes are perfect for capturing chunky meat or vegetable-based sauces. You might want to serve it best by adding other chunky things to it like mushrooms, broccoli, chunky chicken or beef pieces.
4. Penne
Penne with it’s cylindrical shape and angled cut at the end is a classic Italian pasta that has stood the test of time. Penne derives from the Italian word ‘penna’ which means quit or pen, owning it’s resemblance to the tip of an old-fashioned ink or pen. The hollow center of the penne makes it an ideal choice for holding rich, cheesy sauces or hearty meals.
5. Farfalle
The bow-tie and butterfly shape adds a whimsical touch to salads and light cream sauces. It adds style to your plate. Just make sure your plate is colourful to compliment this artistic pasta.
Pasta may seem simple to prepare, but it requires attention to detail to achieve the perfect texture and flavour. This isn’t just a meal, pasta is an experience with flavours and textures to it. Whether you prefer to serve the classics, or experiment with new ingredients, hop on the pasta train and do it your own way. Play with it!
