Pasta is an amazing food that not only takes on its own shape and artform but is made to accentuate the purpose for which it is used. Pasta comes from Latin which translates literally into “paste” and is made from combining a powder and water or powder and egg. In different areas of the world, powders take different forms–some countries use rice powder, some use soy powder but in Italy they use durum wheat powder. Pasta was created in the Renaissance time but was mass produced in the 17th century. Different types of pastas have different purposes and there is even a taxonomy of pasta. It is divided into two main types- dry pasta and fresh pasta. Dry pasta is always durum wheat and water. Fresh pasta can be either flour with water or eggs. In regard to shapes, pasta comes in hundreds of combinations. There are long, short, colorful, small, large and lots of different designs. Short pasta includes penne which is ribbed, farfalle is butterfly shaped, orecchiette is little and means “little ears” and conquilla which are shells and are great for scooping up sauce. Pasta also is made to enhance the palate and taste while eating it. Whatever experience someone is looking for, pasta can enhance it. Surprisingly, pasta cannot be dated back to a specific inventor or to one person who created it– it is designed by the people and each person has their own experience in how it is created and passed down within families. My personal favorite pasta is spaghetti pasta which is not only delicious but very fun to eat. You can slurp it and twist it and add great toppings like meatballs. Pasta is one food that really is made for all.
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I didn’t know any of those interesting facts about pasta! I would have honestly thought that pasta was even older than the Renaissance times. I also would agree with you and say that spaghetti is my favorite pasta as well.
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