Mangiamo! Pasta lovers, reunite as October 17th is National Pasta Day. Pasta comes in hundreds of different shapes and can be cooked in so many different ways, that it is difficult to find someone who doesn't love this Italian delicacy.
A great source of delicious carbohydrates and nutrients, pasta is one of the world's favorite comfort foods. So whether you are a fan of fettuccine Alfredo, prefer the meaty spaghetti bolognese, can't say no to lasagna, or are more excited by filled tortellini, this is the perfect day to indulge in your favorite pasta dish!
Pasta is so popular in fact, that the whole month of October is unofficially known as Pasta Month! And while October 17 is National Pasta Day, on October 25 we celebrate World Pasta Day.
Background of National Pasta Day
Many historians credit Marco Polo with bringing Pasta to Italy, after discovering it on his travels to China in 1271. However, there are records of pasta already existing in Italy way before Marco Polo returned from the Far East. For example, in 1279 a.d.
Italian Ponzio Bastone wrote a will where he bequeathed his heirs a bin filled with macaroni. Also, Romans in ancient times were already making a kind of pasta, or dough, with flour and water.
It was Thomas Jefferson who introduced pasta to North America. While on a stint in Europe as the American Ambassador to France, Jefferson is thought to have visited Naples, where he tried pasta for the first time.
When he returned to America in 1789, he brought crates of macaroni and a pasta-making machine with him. However, Pasta did not become widely available until the 19th century, when a surge of Italian immigrants arrived in America and Canada, bringing and commercializing dried pasta.
One of the early manufacturers of Pasta was the Canelli family who migrated from Italy in 1845 and began selling pasta on the streets of Montreal in 1867. And so it was not long before Pasta was a staple food in every household.
Pasta is so popular because it can be quickly made with any staples you have in your pantry, such as olive oil, onion, garlic, basil, and tomato, for a quick and easy sauce.
Because it is such a neutral ingredient, pasta can be had with almost anything you can think of, so you can let your imagination fly while cooking pasta: add some meat, fish or seafood, vegetables, cream, cheese... the possibilities are endless.
Pasta is also the best family meal because it can be made in large quantities, and it is so comforting that it brings people together.
How to Celebrate National Pasta Day
Pasta is always enjoyed best when it is homemade and shared with others. On this day, invite friends and family over and make your favorite pasta dish, or look at the many recipes online for a new pasta to try.
If you are a real pasta lover, this is the perfect time to get yourself a pasta-making machine and make fresh pasta. You won't regret it!
Interesting Facts About Pasta
· Astronaut John Young took macaroni and cheese to space in 1965, pre-dating the selfie era.
· Italy's pasta consumption is remarkably high, with an average of 51 pounds per person per year, celebrating pasta as an artful staple.
· Pasta comes in over 600 shapes, each serving a unique purpose in capturing sauces or adding flair to dishes.
· Dried pasta's low moisture content allows it to last well beyond its expiration date, becoming a long-lasting pantry item.
· "Museum of Pasta" in Rome and "Pasta World Championship Museum" in Tokyo celebrate pasta's cultural significance worldwide.
· Pasta shapes like "radiatori" and "orecchiette" come with playful names, while "farfalle" resembles delicate butterflies in a bowl.
· Natural ingredients like spinach, beets, and squid ink give pasta vibrant colors, adding a creative twist to classic dishes.
· October 25th marks World Pasta Day, a global celebration of this versatile and beloved culinary delight.
Top 5 Popular Pasta Dishes
· Spaghetti Carbonara: This classic Italian dish features spaghetti tossed with a creamy sauce made from eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and black pepper.
· Fettuccine Alfredo: Fettuccine noodles are coated in a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese, often garnished with parsley.
· Linguine with Clam Sauce: Linguine pasta is typically served with a savory sauce made from fresh or canned clams, white wine, garlic, red pepper flakes, and parsley.
· Penne alla Vodka: Penne pasta is paired with a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with vodka, onions, and garlic, and often finished with heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese.
· Lasagna: This layered pasta dish features sheets of lasagna noodles stacked with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and often ground meat such as beef or sausage. It's baked until bubbly and golden.
