“Life is a combination of magic and pasta” – Federico Fellini, Italian director and screenwriter.
At AQUA Forte, we wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. Pasta is one of life’s simple pleasures, and with a seemingly endless list of pasta shapes and sauce pairings, it’s easy to see pasta itself as a kind of magic!
Each pasta is unique and comes from a different region, but one thing they all have in common is that they are all delicious. Whether you’re making your own pasta from scratch or you’re getting a delivery of pasta dishes from AQUA Forte, here are five of the most popular pasta dishes in Italy.
Quite possibly the most famous pasta dish, Spaghettoni alla Carbonara is made from a luxurious combination of golden egg yolks, pecorino cheese, and crispy guanciale (cured pork cheek). Like most traditional dishes, the origins of carbonara remain obscure, but it is widely believed that the dish originated in Rome from the Lazio region.
There is also another theory that the name carbonara may have preceded the dish itself. As the word is derived from carbonaro, the Italian word for ‘charcoal burner’, some say this dish was made as a hearty meal for the charcoal workers.
When you’re dining at AQUA Forte, try the Spaghettoni Di Gragnano All’Aragosta – bronze-died thick spaghetti with lobster meat and lobster bisque. Pair it with a glass Alois Lageder Loewengang Chardonnay.
Slow-cooked beef ragù spooned over a silken egg tagliatelle, Tagliatelle al Ragù Bolognese is one of the most classic Italian pasta dishes. This dish is a signature dish of the city of Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region which is the richest region in terms of its gastronomic wonders and wine-making traditions. The earliest documentation of this dish dates back to the late 18th Century, but in this version there is a notable difference – the absence of tomato. However, what makes bolognese so special is that while it has essentially remained the same, the dish is constantly evolving and being reinvented and everyone has a different way of preparing it.
We suggest pairing this dish with a glass of Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico.
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Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is a quintessential Neapolitan dish. When exploring Italian pasta dishes by region, it’s interesting to see how the ingredients used complement its origins. The city of Naples is a thriving coastal city, and the flavours featured in this pasta dish are briny and powerful. Prepared with garlic, black olives, capers, peeled tomatoes, chilli flakes, and olive oil, this dish is a summer time essential.
When exploring the world of unique Italian pasta dishes, you cannot forget about gnocchi and pesto alla Genovese. Originating from the north-western coastal region of Liguria, this vibrant aromatic green sauce is a product of Genoa. Today, this sauce is a staple in Italian cuisine and is loved by many, but did you know that its origins date back to the time of the ancient Romans? Made with crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, fresh basil leaves and hard cheese, the sauce is beautifully tied together with EVO. At AQUA Forte, try Gnocchi Di Patate Al Pesto, where we use this classic sauce with homemade potato gnocchi, whose origins date back to the 16th century from northern Italy.
This is a famous Italian vegetarian pasta and timeless dish. Although Spaghettoni Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is said to have originated from the Abruzzo region, the dish is a staple in cucina povera (Italian peasant-style cooking) and was made throughout Italy. This style of cooking yields maximum flavour with minimal ingredients and Spaghettoni Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is the perfect embodiment of this.
Prepared by tossing spaghetti with extra virgin olive oil, garlic and Italian chilli pepper known as peperoncino rosso, and topped with parmigiano-reggiano or pecorino romano, this dish can be enjoyed at any time of the year and at any time of the day!
As much as we would love to travel to the different regions of Italy and sample these delicious pasta dishes, it is simply not a possibility given the current situation. However, you can still try all these unique pasta dishes thanks to AQUA Forte’s Italian food delivery service! Our special Pasta Delivery Menu features these regional delicacies, as well as several pasta dishes, to ensure you can enjoy a fine dining meal at home.
If you’re curious for knowledge on Italian pasta, here are some interesting facts you probably didn’t know
Do you want to know more about authentic Italian cuisine, best wine pairings and secret offers at AQUA Forte? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay up to-date!
