Vermicelli facts for kids

Vermicelli (say it like "vur-mih-CHELL-ee") is a type of pasta. It's shaped like thin, round strings, a bit thinner than spaghetti. The word "vermicelli" comes from Italian and means "little worms," which describes its shape!

What is Vermicelli?

Vermicelli is a popular kind of pasta that looks like long, thin threads. It's often used in many different dishes around the world. While it's similar to spaghetti, vermicelli is usually a bit skinnier.

Where Does the Name Come From?

The name "vermicelli" has a fun meaning! In Italian, "verme" means "worm," and "celli" is a small ending, so it literally means "little worms." This name perfectly describes the long, thin, wiggly shape of the pasta.

Vermicelli Around the World

Even though vermicelli is an Italian word, similar thin pastas are eaten in many other countries. For example, in some Asian countries, very thin noodles are also called vermicelli, but they might be made from different ingredients like rice or beans. In the United States, sometimes "vermicelli" is used to describe a pasta that is even thinner than angel hair pasta.

Images for kids

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  Vermicelli with a tasty lemon-pecorino sauce

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  A sweet aletria pudding with cinnamon, often made with vermicelli

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  Vermicelli (also called fideo) ready to be cooked

See also

In Spanish: Vermicelli para niños