Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a long, thin, cylindrical pasta of Italian and Sicilian origin. Spaghetti is made of semolina or flour and water. Italian dried spaghetti is made from durum wheat semolina, but outside of Italy and Sicily it may be made with other kinds of flour. Traditionally, most spaghetti was 50 cm (20 in) long, but shorter lengths gained in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century and now spaghetti is most commonly available in 25–30 cm (10–12 in) lengths. A variety of pasta dishes are based on it, from spaghetti alla Carbonara or garlic and oil to a spaghetti with tomato sauce, meat and other sauces.

Spaghetti is the plural form of the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning "thin string" or "twine".

Source: http://www.cookingclassy.com

Some fun facts about Spaghetti:

• Spaghetti is rich in carbohydrates, and is a symbolic food of the Mediterranean diet. They are easily digestible, and provide a large amount of both energy and nutriments.
• Bolognese. The most famous condiment gets its name from the Italian city that makes the best meat sauce: ragu. But in many places in the world, spaghetti is served with tomato sauce and meatballs.
• Like other types of pasta, spaghetti comes in both dried or fresh variants, and the two are very different. Dried pasta is more common and made from durum wheat. The fresh kind includes eggs and should be eaten immediately.
• To prepare a dish of spaghetti, a high pot is needed in which salted water should be brought to boil. You’ll also need a drainer and a saucepan to mix it in with the sauce. Measurements? The rule is 1-10-100: 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt, 100 grams of spaghetti.
• Flying spaghetti monster. The most famous pasta shape has also inspired the name of a satirical Kansas-based cult whose leader wears a pasta drainer on his head.
• Italy. The homeland of spaghetti and pasta. It’s the world’s largest producer, making 3.2 tons a year. The USA comes in at second place, with 2 million tons a year, and Brazil produces one million tons. Each year, the average Italian eats 28 kilos of pasta.
• Jefferson (Thomas). It is believed that the third US president was the first to bring a special machine to make “macaroni” (what pasta was called) into the country from France. Jefferson is said to have been a great fan of spaghetti with cheese.
• Ober Ramstadt. This German region is now in the Guinness Book of World Records, for having made (thanks to an Italian), the longest spaghetti ever – measuring 455 meters.
• Xtreme spaghetti. The current world record for eating the most spaghetti in the least amount of time is currently held by a Tuscan man, who ate 100 grams in 33 seconds, stealing the record from the previous Japanese winner.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti

http://www.finedininglovers.com

Posted in: Culinary,Italy