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[[Image:carbonara3.jpg||300px|thumb|right|Spaghetti alla carbonara]]
[[Image:carbonara3.jpg||300px|thumb|right|Spaghetti alla carbonara]]


'''Carbonara''' is a traditional [[Italy|Italian]] [[pasta]] recipe. Its name comes from ''carbone'', which is [[Italian language|Italian]] for coal, and many believe the dish derives its name because it was popular among [[charcoal]] makers working in the [[Apennine Mountains]]. Most people believe, however, that the dish is called carbonara simply because of the black, freshly milled pepper that is used.
'''Spaghetti alla carbonara''' or simply '''carbonara''' is an [[Italy|Italian]] [[pasta]] dish based on eggs, cheese, and usually cured pork. It is a relatively recently invented dish.<ref>Massimo Alberini and Giorgio Mistretta, ''Guida all'Italia gastronomica'', Touring Club Italiano, 1984, p. 286; see also below</ref>


The original recipe from the Italian region of [[Lazio]] uses eggs, garlic, ''[[Parmigiano-Reggiano|parmigiano reggiano]]'', ''[[Pecorino Romano|pecorino romano]]'', ''[[guanciale]]'' (unsmoked pig cheeks), [[black pepper]] and extra virgin olive oil.<ref>Gossetti Della Salda, Anna. ''Le ricette regionali italiane''. &copy;1965 Solares, Milan.</ref> <ref>Accademia Italiana della Cucina, ''Ricettario nazionale delle cucine regionali italiane''</ref> Cream is not an ingredient in this recipe, and it is not generally used with pasta in central Italy. While guanciale is the most authentic and traditional meat used in carbonara, [[pancetta]] is an acceptable substitute, as is any unsmoked bacon. American-style smoked bacon may also be used, though its heavy smoky flavor can overwhelm the equally important flavors of egg, pepper, cheese, and oil; it should be regarded as a last resort if guanciale or pancetta is not available. The original recipe does not call for a heavily saucy pasta; the eggs and cheese need only to form a coating on the noodles, with pieces of pancetta scattered throughout.
Its name comes from ''carbone'', which is [[Italian language|Italian]] for coal, and many believe the dish derives its name because it was popular among [[charcoal]] makers working in the [[Apennine Mountains]]. Most people believe, however, that the dish is called carbonara simply because of the black, freshly milled pepper that is used.


The Italian-American recipe commonly referred to as carbonara is made from cream,<ref>Herbst, Sharon Tyler. ''[[Food Lover's Companion]], Third Edition'': Comprehensive Definitions of nearly 6000 food, drink, and culinary terms. &copy;2001 Barron's Educational Series. Hauppauge, New York. [http://www.barronseduc.com Barron's website]</ref> <ref name="OnCooking">Labensky, Sarah R. & Alan M. House. ''On Cooking, Third Edition'': Techniques from expert chefs. &copy;2003, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.</ref> eggs, parmesan cheese (sometimes with ''pecorino romano'' cheese), and ''[[pancetta]]'' (or some other type of bacon). Some American recipes add salt, pepper (white or black), and/or garlic to taste; with peas added for color.<ref name="OnCooking"/> This preparation is saucier than the Italian version, and has more in common with a cream sauce such as that incorporated into [[Fettuccine Alfredo]].
Recipes vary. All agree that cheese (typically [[parmigiano-reggiano|parmesan]]) and egg yolks are essential; most also include cured fatty pork ([[pancetta]] or [[guanciale]] as well as garlic. Spaghetti alla carbonara is normally made with [[butter]]; then again, some recipes use [[olive oil]].<ref>Alberini, ''op.cit.''</ref><ref>Gossetti Della Salda, Anna. ''Le ricette regionali italiane''. &copy;1965 Solares, Milan.</ref> <ref>Accademia Italiana della Cucina, ''Ricettario nazionale delle cucine regionali italiane''</ref> Cream is not an ingredient in this recipe, and it is not generally used with pasta in central Italy. While guanciale is the most usual meat used in carbonara, [[pancetta]] is an acceptable substitute, as is any unsmoked bacon.

As with most Italian pasta dishes, there is relatively little sauce: the eggs and cheese need only form a coating on the noodles, with pieces of pancetta scattered among them.

The Italian-American recipe commonly referred to as carbonara is made from cream,<ref>Herbst, Sharon Tyler. ''[[Food Lover's Companion]], Third Edition'': Comprehensive Definitions of nearly 6000 food, drink, and culinary terms. &copy;2001 Barron's Educational Series. Hauppauge, New York. [http://www.barronseduc.com Barron's website]</ref> <ref name="OnCooking">Labensky, Sarah R. & Alan M. House. ''On Cooking, Third Edition'': Techniques from expert chefs. &copy;2003, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.</ref> eggs, parmesan cheese (sometimes with ''pecorino romano'' cheese), and ''[[pancetta]]'' (or some other type of bacon). Some American recipes add salt, pepper (white or black), and/or garlic to taste; with peas added for color.<ref name="OnCooking"/> This preparation has more sauce than the Italian version, and has more in common with a cream sauce such as that incorporated into [[Fettuccine Alfredo]].


In both versions of the recipe, the eggs are added to the sauce raw, and cook with the heat of the pasta itself.
In both versions of the recipe, the eggs are added to the sauce raw, and cook with the heat of the pasta itself.
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Like most traditional recipes, the origins of the dish are obscure, and there are many legends about it. As the name is derived from the Italian word for coal, some believe that the dish was first made as a hearty meal for Italian charcoal workers. Others say that it was originally made over [[charcoal]] grills. Still others suggest that it is so named because the specks of bacon and pepper in the pasta look like bits of charcoal. It has even been suggested that it was created by the ''[[Carbonari]]'' ("charcoalmen"), an Italian secret society.
Like most traditional recipes, the origins of the dish are obscure, and there are many legends about it. As the name is derived from the Italian word for coal, some believe that the dish was first made as a hearty meal for Italian charcoal workers. Others say that it was originally made over [[charcoal]] grills. Still others suggest that it is so named because the specks of bacon and pepper in the pasta look like bits of charcoal. It has even been suggested that it was created by the ''[[Carbonari]]'' ("charcoalmen"), an Italian secret society.


The dish was obscure before the [[Second World War]], and it is not present in [[Ada Boni]]'s classic book ''La Cucina Romana'', which was published in 1927. It is thought to have originated in the hills outside Rome, not in the city itself. Its popularity began after the Second World War, when many Italians were eating eggs and bacon supplied by troops from the [[United States]]. It also became popular among American troops stationed in Italy; upon their return home, they popularized spaghetti alla carbonara in North America.
The dish was obscure before the [[Second World War]], and it is not present in [[Ada Boni]]'s classic book ''La Cucina Romana'', which was published in 1927. It is thought to have originated in the hills outside Rome, not in the city itself. Its popularity began after the Second World War, when many Italians were eating eggs and bacon supplied by troops from the [[United States]]. It also became popular among American troops stationed in Italy; upon their return home, they popularized spaghetti alla carbonara (spaghetti with carbonara sauce) in North America.


==Notes==
==Notes==
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{{Cookbook|Spaghetti alla Carbonara}}
{{Cookbook|Spaghetti alla Carbonara}}
* [http://www.accademiaitalianacucina.it/inglese/indricette.html Recipe book of the ''Accademia Italiana della Cucina'']
* [http://www.accademiaitalianacucina.it/inglese/indricette.html Recipe book of the ''Accademia Italiana della Cucina'']
* [http://www.leitesculinaria.com/recipes/cookbook/carbonara.html “Spaghetti alla Carbonara”] from ''[[Leite's Culinaria]]''.

* [http://www.romefile.com/foodanddrink/carbonara.php Spaghetti alla carbonara] Roman background & recipe from [http://www.romefile.com/ ''Rome File''].
* [http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art16940.asp Spaghetti alla Carbonara] From [http://www.bellaonline.com/site/italianfood BellaOnline.com]


[[Category:Italian cuisine]]
[[Category:Italian cuisine]]

Revision as of 05:15, 12 February 2008

File:Carbonara3.jpg
Spaghetti alla carbonara

Carbonara is a traditional Italian pasta recipe. Its name comes from carbone, which is Italian for coal, and many believe the dish derives its name because it was popular among charcoal makers working in the Apennine Mountains. Most people believe, however, that the dish is called carbonara simply because of the black, freshly milled pepper that is used.

The original recipe from the Italian region of Lazio uses eggs, garlic, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino romano, guanciale (unsmoked pig cheeks), black pepper and extra virgin olive oil.[1] [2] Cream is not an ingredient in this recipe, and it is not generally used with pasta in central Italy. While guanciale is the most authentic and traditional meat used in carbonara, pancetta is an acceptable substitute, as is any unsmoked bacon. American-style smoked bacon may also be used, though its heavy smoky flavor can overwhelm the equally important flavors of egg, pepper, cheese, and oil; it should be regarded as a last resort if guanciale or pancetta is not available. The original recipe does not call for a heavily saucy pasta; the eggs and cheese need only to form a coating on the noodles, with pieces of pancetta scattered throughout.

The Italian-American recipe commonly referred to as carbonara is made from cream,[3] [4] eggs, parmesan cheese (sometimes with pecorino romano cheese), and pancetta (or some other type of bacon). Some American recipes add salt, pepper (white or black), and/or garlic to taste; with peas added for color.[4] This preparation is saucier than the Italian version, and has more in common with a cream sauce such as that incorporated into Fettuccine Alfredo.

In both versions of the recipe, the eggs are added to the sauce raw, and cook with the heat of the pasta itself.

The Italian-American carbonara can occasionally be served with mushrooms cooked in with it.

Origin and history

Like most traditional recipes, the origins of the dish are obscure, and there are many legends about it. As the name is derived from the Italian word for coal, some believe that the dish was first made as a hearty meal for Italian charcoal workers. Others say that it was originally made over charcoal grills. Still others suggest that it is so named because the specks of bacon and pepper in the pasta look like bits of charcoal. It has even been suggested that it was created by the Carbonari ("charcoalmen"), an Italian secret society.

The dish was obscure before the Second World War, and it is not present in Ada Boni's classic book La Cucina Romana, which was published in 1927. It is thought to have originated in the hills outside Rome, not in the city itself. Its popularity began after the Second World War, when many Italians were eating eggs and bacon supplied by troops from the United States. It also became popular among American troops stationed in Italy; upon their return home, they popularized spaghetti alla carbonara (spaghetti with carbonara sauce) in North America.

Notes

  1. ^ Gossetti Della Salda, Anna. Le ricette regionali italiane. ©1965 Solares, Milan.
  2. ^ Accademia Italiana della Cucina, Ricettario nazionale delle cucine regionali italiane
  3. ^ Herbst, Sharon Tyler. Food Lover's Companion, Third Edition: Comprehensive Definitions of nearly 6000 food, drink, and culinary terms. ©2001 Barron's Educational Series. Hauppauge, New York. Barron's website
  4. ^ a b Labensky, Sarah R. & Alan M. House. On Cooking, Third Edition: Techniques from expert chefs. ©2003, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.