Buongiorno my friends, it’s National Pasta Day! National Pasta Day is observed on October 17 annually. On this day, the warm and steaming pasta in a creamy red sauce, topped with cheese sprinkles generous amount of meatballs, or the Fettuccine pasta in a buttery-creamy sauce, complimented with Parmesan cheese will blow your mind.
With over 600 shapes of pasta and each name describes its form, they go along with different types of pasta sauce. From spaghetti (cord), vermicelli (little worms), rotini (spirals), ravioli (little turnips) to fettuccini (small ribbons), they are delicious, nutritious and can be enjoyed as a main course, or as a side dish.
History of Pasta
Pasta is the Italian word for dough. While pasta is closely associated with Italian culture and cuisine, the origin of pasta can be traced back to the 13th century in central Asia. There is a common misconception about pasta, suggesting that Marco Polo brought it to Italy from China during the 13th century.
However, it is believed that pasta has existed a long time in central Asia before his voyage there, and it was already established in most of Europe at that time. Some historians opine that nomadic Arabs helped to spread pasta throughout Europe. At that time, dried pasta was made using durum wheat, which lasted longer and easier to store and transport along the trade route.
The establishment of pasta in America began when Thomas Jefferson first tasted it in Naples, Italy. Then, he brought along the first pasta machine and crates of macaroni back to the United States. Pasta dishes became more popular and prominent with the surge of Italian immigration to America.
Since October 1995, National Pasta Day is observed in recognition of the noodle, emphasising on the cultural and culinary importance of pasta. Today is the day that we get to know more and appreciate the variety of pasta from all around the world.
Celebrating National Pasta Day
One of the best ways for you to enjoy this day is to head to your kitchen countertop and start boiling your pasta. Prepare your favourite pasta and enjoy the fantastic flavours and textures that come along with it.
If you can’t get enough of seafood, the following recipe of Seafood Marinara Pasta by Michelin Star Chef Gordon Ramsay will be perfect for your lunch or dinner party with your friends and family. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients:
This recipe is for two servings.
- 8 oysters
- 300g piece skinned-salmon fillet
- 3 large scallops or 6 smaller scallops
- 6 large raw tiger prawns or other substitutes
- 500ml fresh fish stock
- 50g butter
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 200ml white wine or dry vermouth, or one half of each
- 150ml whipping cream
- Soft herbs including parsley and chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 150g fresh spaghetti
- Olive oil
- Chervil or parsley sprigs for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare all the seafood, starting with opening the oysters in a sieve more than a bowl to capture the juices. Trim the salmon filet into six chunks. Cut the scallops by half lengthways and peel and devein the prawns.
- Add the strained oyster juice and fish stock in a shallow saucepan and allow to simmer. Then add the salmon and poach for a minute. Add the prawns and oysters for a minute. Add the scallops and poach for a minute as well. Simmer everything until just cooked.
- Carefully tip the fish and poaching liquid into a sieve more than a large saucepan or bowl and keep the salmon chunks intact.
- On a clean shallow pan, heat half the butter and add the shallot. Pour the poaching liquid and boil down until reduced by half for about 20 minutes.
- Stir from the cream and reduce by half. Then, allow to simmer and whisk inside the remaining butter.
- Meanwhile, prepare your spaghetti by cooking it in a pot of boiling water until just done and drain well. Set aside.
- Gently add the seafood into your sauce, keeping the salmon intact. Allow to simmer lightly and add the herbs and squeezed lemon juice. Then, set aside.
- Add the spaghetti into your sauce, add a drizzle of coconut oil and the rest of the herbs.
- It is ready to serve and enjoy!
If you couldn’t find the time for cooking, you can always go the best Italian restaurants in town that serve pasta and share a meal with your loved ones.
You can still log on to foodpanda and browse our selection of restaurants that serve your favourite pasta. So, on this day, relax, and Mangiamo! Let’s eat.