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Spaghetti

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For other uses, see Spaghetti (disambiguation).
Spaghetti
Spaghetti hung to dry
TypePasta
Place of originItaly
Main ingredientsSemolina or flour, water

Spaghetti (Italian pronunciation: [spaˈɡetti]; sing. spaghetto) is a long, thin, solid, cylindrical pasta.[1] Spaghettoni is a thicker form of spaghetti, while capellini is a very thin spaghetti. It is a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine. Like other pasta, spaghetti is made of milled wheat and water and sometimes enriched with vitamins and minerals. Authentic Italian spaghetti is made from durum wheat semolina, but elsewhere it may be made with other kinds of flour.[2] Typically the pasta is white because refined flour is used, but whole wheat flour may be added.

Originally, spaghetti was notably long, but shorter lengths gained in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century and now it is most commonly available in 25–30 cm (10–12 in) lengths. A variety of pasta dishes are based on it, and it is frequently served with tomato sauce or meat or vegetables.

Etymology

Spaghetti is the plural form of the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning "thin string" or "twine".[1]

History

Main article: Pasta § History

The first written record of pasta comes from the Talmud in the 5th century AD and refers to dried pasta that could be cooked through boiling,[3] which was conveniently portable.[4] Some historians think that Berbers introduced pasta to Europe during a conquest of Sicily. In the West, it may have first been worked into long, thin forms in Sicily around the 12th century, as the Tabula Rogeriana of Muhammad al-Idrisi attested, reporting some traditions about the Sicilian kingdom.[5]

The popularity of spaghetti spread throughout Italy after the establishment of spaghetti factories in the 19th century, enabling the mass production of spaghetti for the Italian market.[6]

In the United States around the end of the 19th century, spaghetti was offered in restaurants as Spaghetti Italienne (which likely consisted of noodles cooked past al dente, and a mild tomato sauce flavored with easily found spices and vegetables such as cloves, bay leaves, and garlic) and it was not until decades later that it came to be commonly prepared with oregano or basil.[7][8][9]

Ingredients

Spaghetti is made from ground grain (flour) and water.[10] Whole-wheat and multigrain spaghetti are also available.[2]

Production

Fresh spaghetti

Fresh spaghetti being prepared using a pasta machine

At its simplest, spaghetti can be formed using no more than a rolling pin and a knife. A home pasta machine simplifies the rolling, and makes the cutting more uniform. Fresh spaghetti would normally be cooked within hours of being formed. Commercial versions of 'fresh' spaghetti are manufactured.[11]

Dried spaghetti

The bulk of dried spaghetti is produced in factories using auger extruders. While essentially simple, the process requires attention to detail to ensure that the mixing and kneading of the ingredients produces a homogeneous mix, without air bubbles. The forming dies have to be water cooled to prevent spoiling of the pasta by overheating. Drying of the newly formed spaghetti has to be carefully controlled to prevent strands sticking together, and to leave it with sufficient moisture so that it is not too brittle. Packaging for protection and display has developed from paper wrapping to plastic bags and boxes.[12]

  • A hydraulic press with automatic spreader built by Consolidated Macaroni Machine Corporation, Brooklyn, New York. This machine was the first ever made to spread long cut alimentary paste products on to a drying stick for the automatic production of spaghetti.
    A hydraulic press with automatic spreader built by Consolidated Macaroni Machine Corporation, Brooklyn, New York. This machine was the first ever made to spread long cut alimentary paste products on to a drying stick for the automatic production of spaghetti.
  • An industrial dryer for spaghetti or other long goods pasta products. Built by Consolidated Macaroni Machine Corporation
    An industrial dryer for spaghetti or other long goods pasta products. Built by Consolidated Macaroni Machine Corporation
  • Dried spaghetti
    Dried spaghetti
  • Dried spaghetti being measured with a "spaghetti measure". 1 portion of dried pasta equals 4.1 ounces, twice the amount of 1 serving on the package (1/2 in circle or 2 oz.). The measure can portion out 1, 2, 3, or 4 servings based on the diameter of the circle. This spaghetti is an enriched macaroni product made with 100% semolina.
    Dried spaghetti being measured with a "spaghetti measure". 1 portion of dried pasta equals 4.1 ounces, twice the amount of 1 serving on the package (1/2 in circle or 2 oz.). The measure can portion out 1, 2, 3, or 4 servings based on the diameter of the circle. This spaghetti is an enriched macaroni product made with 100% semolina.

Preparation

Fresh or dry spaghetti is cooked in a large pot of salted, boiling water and then drained in a colander (Template:Lang-it).

In Italy, spaghetti is generally cooked al dente (Italian for "to the tooth"), fully cooked but still firm to the bite. It may also be cooked to a softer consistency.

Spaghettoni is a thicker spaghetti which takes more time to cook. Spaghettini is a thinner form which takes less time to cook. Capellini is a very thin form of spaghetti (it is also called "angel hair spaghetti" or "angel hair pasta") which cooks very quickly.

Utensils used in spaghetti preparation include the spaghetti scoop and spaghetti tongs.

  • Spaghetti being placed into a pot of boiling water for cooking
    Spaghetti being placed into a pot of boiling water for cooking
  • Draining the water off of boiled spaghetti
    Draining the water off of boiled spaghetti
  • A spaghetti scoop
    A spaghetti scoop
  • Spaghetti tongs
    Spaghetti tongs

Serving

Italian cuisine

Classic Spaghetti alla carbonara

An emblem of Italian cuisine, spaghetti is frequently served with tomato sauce, which may contain various herbs (especially oregano and basil), olive oil, meat, or vegetables. Other spaghetti preparations include amatriciana or carbonara. Grated hard cheeses, such as Pecorino Romano, Parmesan and Grana Padano, are often sprinkled on top.

International cuisine

In some countries, spaghetti is sold in cans/tins with sauce.

In the United States, it is sometimes served with chili con carne. Unlike in Italy, abroad spaghetti is often served with Bolognese sauce.

Sapaketti phat khi mao (Spaghetti fried drunken noodle style) is a popular dish in Thai cuisine.[13]

Spaghetti dishes

For a more comprehensive list, see List of pasta dishes.

Market

Consumption

By 1955, annual consumption of spaghetti in Italy doubled from 14 kilograms (30.9 lb) per person before World War II to 28 kilograms (61.7 lb).[15] By that year, Italy produced 1,432,990 tons of spaghetti, of which 74,000 were exported, and had a production capacity of 3 million tons.[15]

Nutrition

Spaghetti (enriched, dry)
Nutritional value per 1/2 cup (70 grams)
Energy460 kJ (110 kcal)
22g
Sugars0g
Dietary fiber1g
0.5g
Saturated0g
Trans0g
4g
Vitamins and minerals
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Vitamin A equiv.
0%
0 μg
Vitamin C
0%
0 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
0%
0 mg
Iron
22%
4 mg
Sodium
0%
0 mg
Source: USDA[16]
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[17] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[18]

Pasta provides carbohydrates, along with some protein, iron, dietary fiber, potassium and B vitamins.[19] Pasta prepared with whole wheat grain provides more dietary fiber[19] than that prepared with degermed flour.

Records

The world record for the largest bowl of spaghetti was set in March 2009 and reset in March 2010 when a Buca di Beppo restaurant in Garden Grove, California, filled a swimming pool with more than 13,780 pounds (6,251 kg) of pasta.[20]

Spaghetti Westerns have little to do with spaghetti other than using the name as a shorthand for Italian.

The BBC television program Panorama featured a hoax program about the spaghetti harvest in Switzerland on April Fools' Day, 1957.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b spaghetti. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. (accessed: June 03, 2008).
  2. ^ a b "How to Make Spaghetti". Better Homes and Gardens. Retrieved on 22nd December 2014.
  3. ^ "Pasta is Not Originally from Italy". www.todayifoundout.com. Retrieved on 22nd December 2014.
  4. ^ "History and Origin of Pasta". www.101cookingrecipes.com. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
  5. ^ Kummer, Corby (1 July 1986). "Pasta". The Atlantic.
  6. ^ Whiteman, Kate; Boggiano, Angela; Wright, Jeni (2007). The Italian kitchen bible. Hermes House. pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-1-84038-875-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  7. ^ The Settlement Cook Book: Tested Recipes from the Settlement Cooking Classes, the Milwaukee Public School Kitchens, The School of Trades for Girls, and Experienced Housewives. Settlement Cook Book Company. 1921. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  8. ^ Mazdaznan encyclopedia of dietetics and home cook book: cooked and uncooked foods, what to eat and how to eat it ... Mazdaznan associates of God. 1909. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  9. ^ Levenstein, Harvey (2002). Counihan, Carole M. (ed.). Food in the USA: A Reader. Routledge. pp. 77–89. ISBN 0-415-93232-7.
  10. ^ Gisslen, Wayne; Griffin, Mary Ellen; Le Cordon Bleu (2006). Professional Cooking for Canadian Chefs. John Wiley & Sons. p. 635. ISBN 0471663778.
  11. ^ "Homemade Spaghetti". Instructables.com. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Pasta Manufacturing" (PDF). Epa.gov. August 1995. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Drunken Noodles » Real Thai Recipes » Authentic Thai recipes from Thailand". Realthairecipes.com. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  14. ^ Zanini De Vita & Fant 2013, p. 68.
  15. ^ a b Salerno, George (13 December 1956). "Spaghetti consumption up as national dish in Italy". Wilmington Morning Star. Vol. 90, no. 52. Wilmington, North Carolina. United Press.
  16. ^ "Spaghetti, Enriched, Dry" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture. October 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  17. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  18. ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  19. ^ a b Ridgwell, Jenny (1996). Examining Food and Nutrition. Heinemann. p. 94. ISBN 0435420585.
  20. ^ KTLA News (March 12, 2010). "Restaurant Sets World Record with Pool of Spaghetti to be used as animal feed". KTLA. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "1957: BBC fools the nation". BBC. Retrieved 19 December 2014.

Bibliography

Further reading

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