A bowl of saucy pasta makes for the best comfort meal. If you’re eating pasta at home, there are no rules that you need to follow with regard to the eating etiquette. However, while dining out, there are certain yays and nays that you must keep in mind, about the correct ways in which you should eat your favourite pasta.
1) Pair the right shape with the right sauce
Remember that there are no hard and fast rules to this eating etiquette. However, certain types of pastas go well with specific sauces. For example thin and delicate strands work well with smooth sauces and twisted and ribbon shaped pastas, hold heavier sauces well. Therefore, before ordering your customised pasta, be sure to keep in mind which type of sauce will go well with which shape of pasta. Not only will you be able to enjoy your meal more, you’ll also be able to finish the pasta easily as certain shapes roll in specific sauces more easily than other, leaving less of a mess.
2) Cheese with seafood is a no-no
Seafood with cheese is rarely paired in pastas when cooked in an authentic manner. The Italians do use breadcrumbs instead along with olive oil to garnish the pasta, if need be. This is a healthier alternative to cheese too. You will rarely find the option of a cheesy pasta along with seafood in an authentic Italian eatery’s menu.
3) Pasta shouldn’t be cut with a knife
If you’re going to an authentic Italian eatery, know that cutting your pasta with a knife will be frowned upon. This is one of the gravest culinary sin that can be committed with pasta. Italians never use knives to cut their pasta even if rolling the pasta around the fork gets difficult. There are techniques that can help you roll your pasta on to your fork with ease.
4) There is no need of a spoon to eat pasta
Even though you may be tempted to seek the help of a spoon while rolling the pasta on to your fork, this is not a good eating etiquette to follow at Italian restaurants. The pasta should be rolled around the fork using the plate instead. The use of a spoon in the Italian kitchen is limited to tasting saucy and creamy dishes. Pasta however, is never eaten by a spoon or with the help of a spoon.
5) Never break the pasta prior to cooking it
Breaking the pastas like the tagliatelle or the spaghetti before you cook them; so that they fit in to the pot is a big no-no. Even if your pasta is sticking out of your pot or occupies most of the space on the base and needs to be piled on top of each other, never break it before you boil it. When boiled, the pasta anyway softens and slips within the pot. Breaking the pasta before cooking is not a good practice according to the Italians.