THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: PASTA

The pasta shapes produced in Italy are innumerable, because each region, each country and even each family produces a pasta that is different from the others, but as regards exports outside Italy, only some varieties of pasta are marketed and therefore known.
The most popular pasta shapes in the world are spaghetti and macaroni.
With spaghetti it is possible to cook an infinite variety of dishes, but the recipes that have always characterized them on the menus are those of spaghetti with extra virgin olive oil and tomato, and those related to meat and fish dishes, such as amatriciana and swordfish sauce, typical of Sicily.

The term macaroni, especially abroad, is often used as a synonym for pasta in general, without referring to a specific format. In fact, while in Italy macaroni are traditionally a short pasta with stripes and holes in the center, in the rest of the world they simply indicate a short pasta. The best known recipe abroad is certainly "Mac and Cheese".

There are different types of pasta, the classic dry pasta is the one that is found every day on the Italian table, it is prepared with durum wheat semolina flour and water; two natural ingredients that create the basis for infinite possibilities.
Handmade pasta, on the other hand, can be processed with the addition of some characteristic vegetables and spices that give unique flavors. For example, especially in southern Italy, very colorful foods are added to fresh pasta, such as spinach, tomato and squid ink, which also make the pasta a little more special.
In addition to dry pasta, there is also fresh pasta, which is also prepared at home, especially in the Italian hinterland areas by families who have always followed the tradition of cooking.
Fresh pasta is divided into classic pasta and egg pasta. To prepare the latter, a certain amount of eggs must be added to the dough: they give a rich and robust flavor, as well as an intense yellow color. Lasagna, tagliatelle, or pappardelle are usually prepared with this mixture.