Cavatappi facts for kids
Dried cavatappi
|
|
| Alternative names | Cellentani, serpentini, trivelle, stortelli, spirali, double elbows, amori |
|---|---|
| Type | Pasta |
| Place of origin | Italy |
Cavatappi is a fun and curly type of pasta! It looks like a hollow tube twisted into a spiral, much like a corkscrew. In fact, "cavatappi" is an Italian word that means "corkscrews."
You might also hear it called by other names, such as cellentani, amori, serpentini, or spirali. It's important not to mix it up with fusilli, which is another "corkscrew" pasta. Fusilli is a flat pasta that's twisted, while cavatappi is a hollow tube.
Cavatappi often has lines or ridges on its surface. These ridges help sauces stick better to the pasta! It's a kind of macaroni, which means it's a thick, hollow pasta usually made without eggs. Most cavatappi is yellow, but sometimes vegetables or food coloring are added to make it green or red. You can use it in many dishes, like salads, soups, and casseroles.
Contents
What Does Cavatappi Mean?
The word "cavatappi" comes from two Italian words: cava and tappi. Together, they literally mean "stopper extractor," which is another way to say "corkscrew." This name perfectly describes the pasta's unique twisted shape.
Where Did Cavatappi Come From?
The cavatappi shape first appeared in the 1970s. It was created by accident at a pasta company called Barilla in Parma, Italy. A set of pasta-making tools (called dies) were mistakenly made with a spiral design instead of straight lines. This mistake created pasta that looked like a spring!
Barilla decided to name this new pasta "cellentani." This name honored a famous Italian entertainer named Adriano Celentano, who was known as "il molleggiato" (the springy one). Since Barilla trademarked the name "cellentani," other pasta makers had to use a different, less famous name. That's how the name "cavatappi" (corkscrews) became popular for this pasta shape.
What Does Cavatappi Look Like?
Imagine a ridged tube that has been twisted into a spiral. That's cavatappi! It usually has one to three turns in its spiral shape. If it has less than one full turn, it starts to look more like a twisted version of elbow macaroni. The ridges on its surface are called rigati in Italian, and they are great for holding onto delicious sauces.
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Cavatappi
Cavatappi is a favorite in many Italian-style dishes. It's often paired with tomato-based pasta sauces, like cavatappi Amatriciana or cavatappi pomodoro. This pasta also goes really well with different kinds of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone. It's a very popular choice for making macaroni and cheese because its hollow, ridged shape holds the cheesy sauce perfectly!
zh:通心粉
