First pasta post
A food lover wonders
Why are there so many different kinds of pasta, and why do I prefer the twists and have a complete aversion to the bows? Which is the most popular shape?
Common Sense Consultancy
It’s common sense…
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September 27th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Pasta can be though of as basically a carbohydrate based sauce delivery system. The shape and size of the pasta will affect the amount of sauce that can adhere to it. As a basic starting point, when making home made pasta, copper rollers work best to press the pasta because of the tiny bumps on the surface of copper that are not present on other metals.
Some suggest that the shape and size of the pasta should be matched to the sauce, with thin spaghetti being best for lighter, wine based sauces, while larger pasta goes with heavier sauces. Larger surface areas work best with sauces.
As for your personal preference, it may be due to perceived differences in textures caused by cooking times, or simply different adherence of sauces. I’d suggest you stick to whatever you like eating best. And remember, macaroni pies are great.
September 27th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
and if I may. Bows do have a habit of not cooking through in the centre due to the thickness of the pasta which may explain why you do not like them so much.
Sorry I do not have statistics for pasta sold by type but would recon that spaghetti would win on a europe basis
September 27th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I’d agree with consultant K about the bow pasta situation. I must say I find Penne to be one of the most satisfying, although I’m quite fancying spaghetti just now!
Anyway, I seem to have too much time on my hands and have discovered these potentially useful stats:
http://www.menu2menu.com/italfigs.html
Not sure if they’re just for Italy or not. But they concur with K’s suggestion that spaghetti is most popular…
September 28th, 2006 at 11:32 am
thanks for the pasta insights - i agree with the bow cooking problem - i have experienced that myself on occasion. Penne though (is that quills?) yuk! can’t be doing with that.
Another food question has been raised by an esteemed collegue that may even require a seperate post - why does grated cheddar cheese taste better than sliced cheddar cheese? answers to the usual address….
September 28th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
me again! why oh why is it impossible to purchase macaroni pies here in the emerald isle when they is easy to obtain in other parts of the globe, namely Aberdeen? Is this the sort of culinary conundrum that you are looking for?
September 28th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Adam Smith would probably suggest that you can’t get macaroni pies in Ireland because there is no market for them. Of course, it is probably because no one has tried selling the. I would advise you set up a stall selling macaroni pies somewhere (probably somewhere frequented by birders). If you have a camper van you could even move from rare bird to rare bird, selling pies at each twitch. Ovenbirder pies - they would be great on Dursey Island.
September 28th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
what a coincidence - i just happen do have a camper van, as it happens! but, alas no pies to sell! Who is this Adam Smith of whom you speak? Does he work for Tescos or one of the other larger supermarket retailers?
September 28th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
I went to the Co-op and bought two boxes of Kelloggs Just Right for the price of one.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:14 am
Dear Kellogs eater,
That is certainly common sense, but i do not see how it is relevant to past - please expand. Perhaps try Sainsburys. I prefer weetabix