Fettuccine facts for kids
Fresh, uncooked fettuccine
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| Alternative names | Fettucce (wider), fettuccelle (narrower) |
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| Type | Pasta |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Main ingredients | Flour, eggs |
Fettuccine is a popular type of pasta from Italy. Its name means "little ribbons" in Italian, which describes its shape perfectly. It's a flat, thick pasta that looks like small, wide ribbons. People in Rome and Tuscany especially love to eat it.
Contents
What is Fettuccine?
Fettuccine is a kind of pasta that is flat and thick. It's usually made from flour and eggs. For every 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) of flour, one egg is typically used. This pasta is about 0.25 inches (6 millimeters) wide.
It is wider and thicker than tagliatelle, another similar pasta. Tagliatelle is more common in other parts of Italy, especially Bologna. Sometimes, people use the names "fettuccine" and "tagliatelle" as if they are the same.
Different Kinds of Fettuccine
You can find different types of fettuccine. For example, spinach fettuccine is made by adding spinach to the flour and eggs. This gives the pasta a green color and a slightly different taste.
The terms fettucce and fettuccelle are also used for this pasta. However, "fettucce" usually means a wider version, about 0.5 inches (12 millimeters) wide. "Fettuccelle" refers to a narrower type, about 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) wide.
How Fettuccine is Eaten
Fettuccine is often eaten with rich sauces. A classic way to enjoy it is with sugo d'umido, which is a beef ragù (a meat sauce). Another popular choice is ragù di pollo, a chicken ragù.
The Story of Fettuccine Alfredo
One of the most famous dishes made with fettuccine is fettuccine Alfredo. This dish started in Rome. It was originally a simple homemade pasta dish. It was topped with a creamy sauce made from butter and grated cheese.
In the mid-1900s, fettuccine Alfredo became very popular in the United States. It is now a key part of Italian-American cuisine.
The story goes that in 1920, Hollywood stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were on their honeymoon in Europe. They tried fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant called 'Alfredo alla Scrofa' in Rome. They loved the dish because it was simple but tasted amazing.
When they returned to the United States, they told everyone about the famous fettuccine. To remember their visit, they gave the restaurant owner, Alfredo, a special gift. It was a gold fork and spoon with the words "Alfredo, The King of Fettuccine" written on them.
Fresh vs. Dried Fettuccine
Fettuccine is traditionally made fresh. Many people make it at home, or you can buy fresh fettuccine from stores. You can also buy dried fettuccine in packages, which is convenient for cooking at home.
See also
In Spanish: Fettuccine para niños
