Italian Kitchen

© 2005 Shaun Ashworth

Italian Kitchen

 

Pasta

Most people believe that Marco Polo first brought pasta or more likely noodles to Italy from the Orient, however the Etruscans and Romans had recipes containing pasta similar to Lasagne.


Pasta shape English translation
Anelli Rings
Agnolotti Priests’ caps
Bucatini Little caves
Campanelle Bells
Canneloni Big pipes
Capelli d’Angelo Angels hairs
Capellini Fine hairs
Cappeletti/Cappellacci Little hats
Cavatappi Corkscrews
Chitarra (spaghetti alla chitarra) Guitar (more)
Conchiglie Sea shells
Cresti di Gallo Cocks-combs
Cubetti Small cubes
Dischi volante Flying Saucers
Ditalini Little thimbles
Eliche Screws
Farfalle Butterflies
Fazzoletti Handkerchiefs
Fettuccine Small tapes/ Ribbons
Filini Little threads
Fiochetti Bows
Garganelli Trachea (more)
Gemelli Twins
Gigli Lilies
Girasoli Sunflower
Gnocchi/ Gnocchetti Dumplings/ Small dumplings
Gomiti Elbows
Gramigna Weeds
Lasagne From Latin: Lasanum=pot
Linguine Little tongues
Liscio Smooth - any pasta shapes without grooves
Lumaconi Snail shells
Maltagliati Poorly cut (pasta scraps)
Maniche Sleeves
Manti Cloaks
Margherite Daisies
Mezzaluna Halfmoon
Millerighe Many-grooved - lit. a thousand grooves
Mostaccioli Small moustaches
Ochi di pernice Partridge eyes
Ondine Waves
Orecchiette Ears
Orzo Barley shaped
Paglia e Fieno Straw and Hay
Pappardelle From the Tuscan dialect: pappare - to eat
Pasta Colours: verde, nero, rosso, giallo Pasta Colours: green, black, red, yellow
Pastina Little pasta
Penne Quills
Perline Beads
Pipe Pipes (for smoking)
Quadrucci Small squares
Rachette Tennis rackets
Radiatori Radiators
Ravioli From the verb: ravvolgere - to fold
Ricciole Curls (Roulade)
Rigate Ruled/lined/grooved
Rigatoni Large grooved
Rocchetti Reels
Ruoti Wheels
Sedani Celery sticks
Spaghetti Little strings
Spaghettini Thin Spaghetti - lit. little spaghetti
Spirale Spirals
Stellete Little stars
Strozzapretti Priest strangler (more)
Tortellini Modelled on the navel of Venus
Tubetti Small tubes
Trotolle Spinning tops
Trucioli Shavings
Vermicelli Little worms
Ziti Bridegrooms


 


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