Strand pasta
Pasta comes in many forms and shapes. Many manufacturers produce pasta, but quality as well as dimensions differ.
There are two major classifications: pasta fresca (fresh) and pasta
secca (dried). From here, there are more than 400 unique types of pasta:
sheets, strips, long strands, cylinders, unique shapes, flavors, and
many other local varieties.
Strand pasta include: spaghettoni, spaghetti, spaghettini, fedelini, vermicelloni, vermicelli, capellini, capellini dangelo.
Spaghetti or any long- strand pasta should be gently pushed down into
the pot and then stirred briskly to help separate the pasta strands.
The optimum cooking time was established by boiling the pasta
in distilled water until the white center core of the pasta
strand disappears, indicating that the starch at the center has
gelatinized.
Strand pasta is best served with thin, flavorful sauces that are rich in
oil, which keeps the very thin pasta from sticking together. Long
strands are best with smooth sauces or sauces with very small chunks.
Strand pasta