When you think of pasta, you think of beautiful Italy right? And here at Diforti, we provide you with the freshest ingredients to make authentic Italian food for every occasion. But how did pasta become an Italian staple?
Pasta is made up of very simple components, durum wheat, water or eggs. And since the traditional spaghetti has become a household favourite across the globe, there’s now over 200 variations in all different shapes and sizes. From tubes to twisted spirals, there’s a whole world of pasta just waiting to be explored. Here at Diforti we have a selection on offer from Mancini Fusilli to the Rummo Organic Wholemeal Penne Rigate.
The Origins of Pasta
Whilst we associate pasta with Italy, pasta is said to be a descendant of ancient Asian noodles, which seems accurate when spaghetti has the same shape as noodles. A common belief is that Marco Polo brought it from China to Italy through an introduction of a certain plant that produced flour.
There are Italian writers who argue that a tomb from the fourth century B.C contained pasta making equipment, suggesting pasta was enjoyed in Pre-Roman Italy.
Since then, pasta has become a popular dish both in real life and on film. A fine example of this would be Disney’s Lady and the Tramp where the humble spaghetti and meatballs play a memorable role in this iconic love story. Why not try re-creating the scene using our Rummo Gluten-Free Spaghetti and Smoked Pancetta Cubes lavished in our Grilled Pepper Pesto.
The Process of Making Pasta
Our Italian deli online sells an array of pasta that has been lovingly prepared and we pride ourselves on family tradition. The process of making pasta is a simple one but it’s the cutting aspect that has lead to the dizzying selection of pasta that’s now available.
Back in the 14th century, the ingredients for pasta would be mixed together, kneaded and then hung out to dry on a rack. Today, the recipe is pretty much the same but we now have tools that make cutting pasta a little easier.
Some pasta is made fresh and cooked instantly, whilst others are dried out to be sold to the masses. The drying out process means that pasta can remain a staple in the household cupboard for a couple of years whereas fresh pasta can go off within days.
For Richer, For Poorer
Although pasta is a common party food, enjoyed by many, it wasn’t always that way. The rich were once the only ones who got the luxury of pasta as it was considered a dish only for the wealthy and wasn’t part of the common diet until the 17th century. From the 17th century is when it became a main staple, possibly due to the deterioration of people’s standards of living at the time and that pasta was a cheaper option than meat.
A great dish to serve at a party or function would be Gnocchi which partners up well with our Stuffed Squid. Try something a little different and finish it off with our scrumptious Artichoke Cream.
Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, enjoyed across the globe. If your cupboard is looking a little bare, why not stock up with us? Buy Italian food online here at Diforti.
FAQs
Pasta has been a staple food in Italy for centuries, dating back to the Roman Empire. However, the first written record of pasta can be traced back to the 11th century, when Arab merchants brought the dish to the country.
How did pasta become a staple food in Italy? ›
Although popular legend claims Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy following his exploration of the Far East in the late 13th century, pasta can be traced back as far as the 4th century B.C., where an Etruscan tomb showed a group of natives making what appears to be pasta.
Why is pasta so important in Italian culture? ›
A Symbol of Togetherness:
Sharing a pasta meal is more than just sustenance; it's a social ritual. Families and friends come together to connect, laugh, and create lasting memories. The communal aspect of enjoying pasta reinforces the importance of family and community, values deeply ingrained in Italian culture.
Why is pasta a popular staple food? ›
"It's a cultural phenomenon, not an industrial phenomenon," he says. "People like the Italian way of life and their simple, staple foods." Pasta has always had a global aspect as its origins are not purely Italian, which is unsurprising considering it can be made with just wheat and water.
What is so special about Italian pasta? ›
Italian factories dry pasta for much longer (up to 50 hours) for a better quality pasta. They also give the pasta its unique ridges, using copper moulds, so that they absorb sauce best. An interesting fact is that pasta in Italy, because of this, is much quicker to cook.
What did Italians eat before pasta? ›
The Italian meal structure, as we know it today, only came to be when pasta entered the households of every Italian family on a daily basis. Before then – from Ancient Rome all the way to the 20th century – meals mostly consisted of an antipasto, a secondo (prima mensa for the Romans) and dolce.
What country eats the most pasta? ›
Italian cuisine is synonymous with pasta, and it's the heart of their culinary culture. From north to south, Italy boasts a vast array of pasta shapes and recipes. The average Italian consumes a whopping 23 kilograms of pasta annually, making it the highest per capita consumption in the world.
Why do Italians like pasta so much? ›
Pasta is easy and cheap to make, and many different sauces are born from just a handful of ingredients, like pasta carbonara or pasta amatriciana. With just a few ingredients, Italians can create an affordable and delicious meal that can provide nutritional value and sustenance. Diversity.
Who invented pasta, China or Italy? ›
A recent book by Silvano Serventi and Francoise Sabban has set the record straight in authoritative and fascinating detail. China was indeed the first country to develop the art of noodle making, but there were pastas in the Mediterranean world long before Marco Polo.”
What is the staple diet of the Italians? ›
A typical Italian diet consists of three meals in a day. The most common foods in the Italian diet include pasta, cheese, vegetables, olive oil, meats, and wine. Italians give a lot of importance to fresh ingredients. They use seasonal ingredients to prepare meals.
A2: Italian pasta is often considered healthier due to the emphasis on high-quality ingredients such as durum wheat semolina, higher protein content, and traditional production methods.
Do Italians prefer fresh or dried pasta? ›
But, beyond the history, what perhaps most shattered my conception of fresh pasta superiority is that, for many Italians, dried pasta is preferred. It has more bite and texture, they argue. And, just as fresh pasta isn't inherently better, not all dried pastas are created equal.
What is the secret to Italian pasta? ›
Do not add oil! Instead, stir the pasta immediately after submerging it into the boiling water, this will keep the strands from sticking to the bottom of the pot and each other and use a large enough pot. The addition of oil will only coat the pasta and the sauce will not stick to it properly.
What is Italy's staple foods? ›
- Pizza. Kicking things off with the big daddy of Italian cuisine, forget anything you once thought about pizza: here in Italy, pizza making is a form of art. ...
- Pasta. ...
- Risotto. ...
- Polenta and cured meats. ...
- Seafood. ...
- Gelato and Dolce. ...
- Coffee and famous tipples.
The primo is the first course to choose from; Pasta is served first as another appetizer but not the main event.
Where did Italy's staple food the pizza come from? ›
Pizza was first invented in Naples, Italy as a fast, affordable, tasty meal for working-class Neapolitans on the go. While we all know and love these slices of today, pizza actually didn't gain mass appeal until the 1940s, when immigrating Italians brought their classic slices to the United States.
What is pasta used for in Italy? ›
The traditional Italian pasta, made from durum wheat, is popular in northern Italy in dishes with a tomato- or cream-based sauce. Its firm texture and shape allow the noodle to pair with soups, hearty meat sauces, baked recipes, cheesy sauces, and light dressings for easy pasta salads.
