Fresh pasta is one of the most popular comfort foods in the United States. Though you may often order this dish when you dine at Italian restaurants, there are some facts you might not know about it. The following guide highlights some fun facts about this staple of Italian cuisine. 

What Are Some Interesting Facts About Pasta?

1. It Has Ancient Origins

Records of pasta-making date back to 400 BCE. Archeologists discovered wall carvings in Etruscan tombs, which displayed primitive tools for making pasta. However, the making and consuming of pasta likely date back even further since excavators unearthed a 4,000-year-old bowl of noodles in China. 

2. Explorers Popularized It

The Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo is said to have brought pasta to Italy from China in the 13th century, where it gradually became popular throughout the Mediterranean area. Since dried pasta could last for months, several nautical voyagers brought it on long expeditions, which is likely how the meal became popular in other parts of the world. 

3. Pasta Names Refer to Their Shape

Translations of various pasta names from Italian to English often refer to their shape. For instance, farfalle means "butterflies," which speaks to the winged shape of these noodles. Spaghetti translates to "little strings," and fettuccine means "little ribbons," accurately describing the respective appearances of these noodles. Gemelli, which consists of two S-shaped strands of noodles twisted together, is the Italian word for "twins." Manicotti, which refers to large tubes of pasta often stuffed with cheese, translates to "sleeves."

4. Tomatoes Weren't Originally Served With Pasta

Though a delicious red sauce is practically synonymous with pasta, tomatoes were not originally part of this dish. In fact, before the late 17th century, tomatoes were considered a poisonous ornamental plant, and Europeans did not cultivate or eat them. Italians first topped pasta with a simple sauce consisting of olive oil, herbs, and spices. However, they began adding tomatoes to flatbread toward the late 1600s and gradually started incorporating them into fresh pasta dishes, such as spaghetti Bolognese. 

The next time you're in the mood for delicious pasta, head to Paul's Pasta Shop in Groton, CT. This Italian restaurant offers fresh pasta dishes to hungry patrons throughout southeastern Connecticut. Call (860) 445-5276 to order Italian food, and visit the website to view their delicious lunch and dinner dishes.