Spaghetti alla chitarra
Traditional preparation using chitarra | |
Alternative names | Maccheroni alla chitarra |
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Type | Pasta |
Place of origin | Italy |
Region or state | Abruzzo |
Main ingredients | Durum wheat semolina, egg, salt |
Variations | Tonnarelli |
Cookbook: Spaghetti alla chitarra Media: Spaghetti alla chitarra |
Spaghetti alla chitarra (Italian: [spaˈɡetti ˈalla kiˈtarra]), also known as maccheroni alla chitarra, is a variety of egg pasta typical of Abruzzo, Italy. Tonnarelli are a similar pasta from Lazio.[1] They have a square cross section about 2–3 mm thick.
Ciriole is the thicker version of chitarra, approximately double the thickness of spaghetti. It has a squared shape rather round.
The name of this spaghetti comes from the tool (the so-called chitarra, literally "guitar") this pasta is produced with, a tool which gives spaghetti its name, shape and a porous texture that allows pasta sauce to adhere well. The chitarra is a frame with a series of parallel wires crossing it.
The dough consists of durum wheat semolina, eggs, and a pinch of salt. It is then worked and, after a rest, rolled flat with a rolling pin. The dough is then placed on the chitarra and pushed through with the rolling pin, so that the strings of the guitar cut it into strips.[2] Pasta makers from Abruzzo bring down the cut dough by passing a finger on it, as they would "play an arpeggio".
The tool named chitarra was invented around 1890 in the province of Chieti. Before then, pasta was cut with a special rolling pin with notches to obtain its particular shape.[3]
In Abruzzo, maccheroni alla chitarra are most typically prepared with a ragout of lamb (ragù d'agnello). In particular areas of the Abruzzi the traditional condiment is tomato sauce with veal meatballs, so-called pallottelle.[4]
A dried variation without egg is often marketed as spaghetti or maccheroni alla chitarra within and outside of Italy.[5][6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Tonnarelli is a local variation from Lazio.". dececco.it. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "Barilla". barilla.it. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "Spaghetti chitarra". pastagarofalo.it. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "De Cecco: accheroni alla chitarra all'uovo". dececco.it.
- ↑ "Spaghetti alla chitarra marketed outside of Italy". barilla.com.
- ↑ "Maccheroni alla chitarra (without egg) available in Italian supermarkets". dececco.it.