From penne to spaghetti, where do these pasta names come from?
Pasta, as foodies all over the world would agree, is a culinary delight. A plate of scrumptious spaghetti or fettuccine can be the ultimate source of joy for many of you. But have you ever wondered where different types of pasta get their names from? Let us find out.
The naming story
Various estimates suggest that there are 350 plus types of pasta, varying in shape and size and each has its own name. But the nomenclature of different types of pasta isn’t random. Nor are their shapes the result of the chef’s whims and fancies. Each pasta shape has been designed with a specific purpose in mind. For instance, some are designed for soups, others for meat sauces, and a few are intended to have more delicate sauces in their grooves and folds. The names of the pasta are associated with the method of making them or the objects they resemble. Here is the story behind the names of the most popular ones.
Spaghetti: It is derived from the Italian word "spago" which means "string" and refers to its long, straggly shape.
Ravioli: It originates from the Italian word, ‘riavvolgere’ which means ‘wrapping’. This pasta is made by wrapping the dough around the filling before cutting it into squares.
Macaroni: It is derived from the Italian word ‘maccheroni’ which refers to numerous forms of durum wheat pasta made like a long or short tube with varying thickness.
Penne: This name has its roots to the Italian word for ‘pen’, a reference to the angled ends of the tube, which resemble the tip of a quill pen. It is available in smooth and ridged variants and can be utilised in a variety of dishes.
Where did pasta come from?
Popular legend would have us believe that Venetian explorer Marco Polo brought pasta to Europe during his return from Asia in the 13th century. However, historical evidences suggest that it existed in ancient Italy. It is believed that the inhabitants of Etruria, the central western portion of Italy (now Tuscany, Latium and Umbria) were making pasta from 11th century BC to 1st century BC. You will be surprised to know that archaeologists have unearthed pasta-making machines from the ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii, which is now in Italy. However, it cannot be denied that several versions of pasta have existed in different parts of the world through centuries. Take Palestine for example. Jerusalem Talmud, a compilation of Jewish religious teachings, refers to the existence of a kind of boiled pasta (itrium) in Palestine from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD. Greek mythology also has reference of a device used for making strings of dough, the ancestor of modern-day spaghetti. Greek god Vulcan is believed to have invented the machine. Interesting, isn't it?
Fact File
Here are some interesting pasta facts for you:
Way back in the 13th century, when there was no pasta-making machine, barefoot workers would tread on large batches of dough to knead them. A single batch would need a full day of walking. This is because, pasta dough, made of durum wheat flour, is very tough.
Pasta was popularised in America between 1880-1900 by Italian immigrants. Disparate, warring states of Italy were unified by king Vittorio Emanuele II in 1862. This is when Italian immigration to America increased due to dire economic conditions. However, pasta is known to have arrived in America way back in 1789 with Thomas Jefferson, the third US President. He was introduced to it during a visit to Naples and returned to the US with ‘maccheroni’ and a pasta-making device.
World Pasta Day is celebrated on October 25 every year. The origin of the day dates back to 1995 when a group of pasta producers formed World Pasta Congress.