Pasta lovers around the globe unite, celebrating their favorite carb with gusto and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. October is National Pasta Month and October 17th is National Pasta Day. Celebrate National Pasta Day by sharing your favorite pasta dishes with friends and family. Pasta is one of the most popular dishes around the world. It’s not just spaghetti, lasagna, fettuccine and tortellini. There are over 600 known pasta shapes! Pasta is delicious, nutritious & versatile. It can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. Pasta isn’t just popular in Italy and the U.S., it is commonly used in all countries.
While noodles are found all over the world, pasta is a type of noodle of traditional Italian cuisine, dating back to 1154 in Sicily. Typically, it is made from an unleavened dough of durum wheat flour. The flour is mixed with water or eggs and formed into sheets of various shapes.
Here are some popular pasta dishes around the world for National Pasta Day
- Andorra National Dish – Escudella is a traditional Catalan soup filled with pasta meat and botiffara sausage, with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and Swiss chard. It is often made during the colder months or around Christmas. Escudella is eaten in two stages; first comes the broth with pasta, then the meat and vegetables. In Andorra, a festival of escudella is held on Saint Anthony’s day in early January.
- Pappardelle all’anatra – A traditional Italian dish popular in Arezzo, capital of the easternmost province of Tuscany, prepared with duck meat, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, stock, onions, carrots, celery, olive oil, sage, rosemary, bay leaves and ribbon pasta.
- Surlice sa Skampima – A super easy recipe that allows the delicate flavor of the skampi to sing. It can be used for any shellfish. It originates from the Croatian island of Krk and consists of a local pasta known as surplice combined with onions, garlic, scampi, tomato juice, white wine and stock. The pasta is sautéed in butter before being combined with other ingredients.
- Astakomakaronada – A Greek lobster pasta made popular from the Aegean Sea having small and very tasty lobsters. The dish is prepared with spaghetti, while the sauce is enriched with wine, herbs and spices. It is mainly associated with the island of Skyros.
- Aletria – a Portuguese sweet pasta dessert unique in Portugal for those loving pasta and having a sweet tooth. It is a favorite for kids of all ages made with angel hair pasta, milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks, lemon peel and cinnamon.
- Shan Noodles – An authentic Burmese recipe with chicken or pork cooked in tomatoes and served over a bed of rice noodles. They are a favorite in the Land of the Pagodas, but more common in the Mandalay region as well as the Shan State, the most eastern most state of Myanmar. There are two types of noodles: san see which are sticky and flat and yay sein which are round, thin shaped and not sticky.
- PHO – A Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat or chicken. It is considered Vietnam’s national dish originating in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam and popularized by refugees after the Vietnam war. The Hanoi and Saigon styles of pho differ by noodle width, sweetness of broth and choice of herbs.
- Pad Thai – A stir-fried rice noodle dish served as a street food and most restaurants in Thailand. It is made with rice noodles, chicken or beef or tofu, peanuts, a scrambled egg and bean sprouts. The ingredients are sautéed together in a wok and tossed into a pad thai sauce.
- Sorrentinos – A stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli, but rounded and larger, invented in Argentina. The dough is made without eggs and the filling is ham, mozzarella and provolone. There are many stories about the origin of sorrentinos, and though some claim they hail from Mar del Plata, some link their origin to Buenos Aires. They can be served with different types of tomato or cream based sauces.
History of National Pasta Day
National Pasta Day has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century when Italian immigrants brought their love of pasta to the United States. The first recorded celebration of National Pasta Day was in 1914, when the National Macaroni Manufacturers Association (NMMA) was formed to promote the interests of the pasta industry. Over the years, the celebration has evolved to include various events, promotions, and activities that showcase the diversity and versatility of pasta.
World Pasta Congress
World Pasta Day, a relatively young culinary celebration, traces its origins to 1995 when the global pasta industry united in an unprecedented gathering. This inaugural World Pasta Congress brought together 40 pasta producers from diverse corners of the globe, representing a collective passion for this versatile staple food. The event marked a pivotal moment in pasta’s cultural significance, elevating it from a mere dietary component to a symbol of international gastronomic unity. By establishing this annual observance, the congress aimed to celebrate pasta’s rich history, promote its nutritional benefits, and showcase its remarkable ability to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries through countless regional variations and recipes.
National Pasta Day Deals
For pasta enthusiasts gearing up to celebrate National Pasta Day, a tantalizing array of dining deals awaits. Savvy travelers should keep their forks at the ready, as popular Italian-inspired chains are set to serve up some appetizing offers. Olive Garden, the perennial favorite, might just bring back their legendary Never-Ending Pasta Bowl – a carb-lover’s dream come true. Meanwhile, Carrabba’s could be cooking up some special promos that’ll have you twirling your spaghetti with glee. While this year’s deals are still under wraps, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for similar wallet-friendly feasts. Remember, the early bird catches the… meatball, so plan ahead and arrive with an empty stomach to make the most of these pasta-tastic bargains!
The Best Fresh Herbs to use from Around the World
Fresh herbs can elevate a pasta dish from good to extraordinary, each bringing its unique flavor profile and cultural significance. Italy, the pasta motherland, favors basil in its iconic pesto and pairs it beautifully with tomato-based sauces. Oregano, another Italian staple, adds a robust, earthy note to many southern Italian recipes. In Greece, dill is a popular choice, often used in lighter, lemon-infused pasta dishes. French cuisine incorporates tarragon into creamy pasta sauces, imparting a subtle licorice flavor. Cilantro, while divisive, is essential in many Mexican pasta salads and fusion dishes. In Thailand, where rice noodles reign supreme, Thai basil and mint add aromatic complexity to spicy noodle dishes. Parsley, versatile and fresh, is used across many cultures, from Italian gremolata to Middle Eastern tabbouleh-inspired pasta salads. Sage is a favorite in northern Italian cuisine, often paired with butternut squash in filled pasta. Lastly, chives, with their mild onion flavor, are popular in creamy pasta dishes across Europe and North America.
Popular Pasta Dishes Around the World
Pasta is a beloved dish around the world, with different regions and cultures offering their unique twists and flavors. Here are some popular pasta dishes from around the world so you can make your own pasta: One popular pasta dish featuring Italian sausage is orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage. Here’s a brief description of this classic Italian recipe:
- Italy: Spaghetti Carbonara, Fettuccine Alfredo, Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Italian sausage and Penne alla Vodka
- Greece: Pastitsio, a baked pasta dish with ground meat and béchamel sauce
- Japan: Spaghetti Napolitan, a Japanese-Italian fusion dish with tomato sauce and seafood
- Korea: Japchae, a stir-fried glass noodle dish with vegetables and sometimes meat
- Mexico: Fideo, a spicy pasta dish with tomato sauce and chorizo
Celebrating Pasta
World Pasta Day is celebrated on October 25th, and it’s a day to come together and appreciate the joy of pasta. Here are some ways to celebrate:
- Cook your favorite pasta dish and share it with friends and family
- Try a new pasta recipe from a different culture or region
- Attend a pasta-making workshop or cooking class
- Share your love of pasta on social media using the hashtag #WorldPastaDay
