Everything about food, from matching food and wine to recipes, techniques and trends.

If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker

no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42509

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Jenise » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:28 pm

...to live with for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This topic came up during dinner at a friend's house last night, and long ago we had a lot of fun discussing our choice and the reasons we chose it on the old FLDG.

Then, as now, I end up narrowing my options down to one string-type (linguine) and one tube (rigatoni), and rigatoni wins. I just love the thickness of rigatoni, that dense chewiness, plus if I must give up all other options the way it seems to grab both smooth and chunky sauces, and it's ability to do well both in traditional hot pasta preps and cold pasta salads. The only place it doesn't do well is in soups, but then one could always break the noodles into flat sheet shapes.

So, what about all of you? And for anyone who participated in that long-ago thread, if you remember what you picked then, has your choice changed?
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

Carl Eppig

Rank

Our Maine man

Posts

4149

Joined

Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:38 pm

Location

Middleton, NH, USA

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Carl Eppig » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:52 pm

Rotelle.
no avatar
User

Bob Ross

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

5703

Joined

Sun Mar 26, 2006 10:39 pm

Location

Franklin Lakes, NJ

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Bob Ross » Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:06 pm

Orecchiette.

Easy to eat, sauces cling, works in soups, great in casseroles, kids love the shape, great camping pasta.

Regards, Bob
no avatar
User

DebA

Rank

Ultra geek

Posts

239

Joined

Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:11 am

Location

N. of the equator

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by DebA » Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:45 pm

Bob Ross wrote:Orecchiette.

Easy to eat, sauces cling, works in soups, great in casseroles, kids love the shape, great camping pasta.

Regards, Bob

____________________

Bob, you took mine! LOL! I LOVE orecchietti with fresh peas! OK, if I must choose another, I will choose fettucini. :cool:
no avatar
User

Gary Barlettano

Rank

Pappone di Vino

Posts

1909

Joined

Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:50 pm

Location

In a gallon jug far, far away ...

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Gary Barlettano » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:25 pm

Jenise wrote:...to live with for the rest of your life, what would it be?


We are supposed to cleave to our spouses. That's enough cleaving for me.

In the world of pasta, I am a philanderer. You can't have pasta fagioli without ditalini or tubettini. Can you imagine fusilli Alfredo? What's a soup without pastina or acini di pepe? Attempt to think lasagne aglio olio!!! No, no, no ...

I have to laugh because I honestly cannot answer this question. It puts my thoughts into an endless loop. But if I had to choose, it would be for something weighty and chewy like uncut fusilli or fettucine or perciatelli or cavatelli or jumbo shells or large rigatoni or ... basta!
no avatar
User

Stuart Yaniger

Rank

Stud Muffin

Posts

4348

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:28 pm

Location

Big Sky

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Stuart Yaniger » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:39 pm

Remember the kids' game of, "What would you wish for if you could have only one wish?" The smart-ass answer was, "I'd wish for ten more wishes." I'll be the smartass here and say that I'd pick pasta sheets. That way, I could cut any shape I need.

Hah!
no avatar
User

James Roscoe

Rank

Chat Prince

Posts

11011

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm

Location

D.C. Metro Area - Maryland

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by James Roscoe » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:42 pm

I'm with Stuart, although I'm not spending any time on an island with him. (What kind of wine cellar does he have?)
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
no avatar
User

Karen/NoCA

Rank

Hunter/Gatherer

Posts

6313

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:55 pm

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Karen/NoCA » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:52 pm

I've always loved linguine, with most any sauce. Rigatoni was my favorite when I was preparing kids pasta casseroles, and even now, it is my choice.
My love right now is Osem Israeli Couscous. Those little B B size balls, are wonderful and I make so many yummy recipes with them, hot and cold.
With three good Italian restaurants in town, each has a favorite I must have. One is for Linguine and Clams, ONLY.
As many times as we've been there, I've tried nothing else on the menu. Rigatoni holds up to big, bold sauces and meatballs or sausage.
no avatar
User

Stuart Yaniger

Rank

Stud Muffin

Posts

4348

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:28 pm

Location

Big Sky

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Stuart Yaniger » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:51 pm

James Roscoe wrote:What kind of wine cellar does he have?


I built it myself. Drywall, lots of insulation, and a modified air conditioner.
no avatar
User

TimMc

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by TimMc » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:04 pm

Just one?

Angel Hair.
no avatar
User

James Roscoe

Rank

Chat Prince

Posts

11011

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm

Location

D.C. Metro Area - Maryland

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by James Roscoe » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:14 pm

Stuart Yaniger wrote:
James Roscoe wrote:What kind of wine cellar does he have?


I built it myself. Drywall, lots of insulation, and a modified air conditioner.

:lol: :oops:
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
no avatar
User

Stuart Yaniger

Rank

Stud Muffin

Posts

4348

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:28 pm

Location

Big Sky

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Stuart Yaniger » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:04 pm

James Roscoe wrote:
Stuart Yaniger wrote:
James Roscoe wrote:What kind of wine cellar does he have?


I built it myself. Drywall, lots of insulation, and a modified air conditioner.

:lol: :oops:


Thanks a lot folks, you've been a great audience! I'll be here through Saturday, tell your friends! G' night!
no avatar
User

Hoke

Rank

Achieving Wine Immortality

Posts

11420

Joined

Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:07 am

Location

Portland, OR

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Hoke » Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:04 am

For the love of God! Will no one defend gnocchi???

Nope, sorry, can't do it. I'm with Gary. Can't settle for just one. Gotta have that variety. Most often used? Sure, penne.

But if I had a nice rabbit, I couldn't use penne. Wouldn't be right. Have to have pappardelle, right? Of course.

Dal Plin? Gotta be agnolotti, without question.

Farfalle is good. And you might be able to get away with using that in lieu of orrechiette, I suppose. But why would want to?

And what's wrong with the humble elbow macaroni (or, if we're charging more for it in a restaurant, we could call it maccheroni con formaggio)?

Too many delightful choices to consider pasta monogamy.
no avatar
User

Mike Filigenzi

Rank

Known for his fashionable hair

Posts

8187

Joined

Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:43 pm

Location

Sacramento, CA

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Mike Filigenzi » Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:50 am

Man, I read the first post and I thought, "No problem - penne rigate." And then Hoke had the audacity to mention papardelle. And then that made me think of bucatini.

And it all unravelled from there.



Mike
"People who love to eat are always the best people"

- Julia Child
no avatar
User

Robin Garr

Rank

Forum Janitor

Posts

21609

Joined

Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Location

Louisville, KY

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Robin Garr » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:02 am

Jenise wrote:...to live with for the rest of your life, what would it be?


Aw, geez, not this again! :twisted:

I love variety, and the more of it the better, so I really have a hard time singling out one favorite, of pasta or anything.

But heck, I'll play. For maximum versatility, if I really had to do this, I think I'd go with penne as my short pasta, in a close, difficult match against rigatoni. And after long soul-searching, regular spaghetti over linguine or fettuccine. And! Since we DO get to pick a couple of categories, I'll add orzo as my soup pasta. ;)
no avatar
User

Howie Hart

Rank

The Hart of Buffalo

Posts

6389

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm

Location

Niagara Falls, NY

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Howie Hart » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:13 am

Choosing one, it would be shells. Works in salad, with sauce, macaroni & cheese, soup. Pretty much all purpose. Since I don't know the Italian names of all the pasta shapes I Googled pasta shapes and found this link:

Pasta Shapes

From the above link:
conchiglie = pasta shells = pipe rigate = maruzze Pronunciation: con-KEEL-yay Notes: This Italian pasta resembles conch shells. It's often served with tomato or meat sauces, or in pasta salads. A smaller version for soups is called conchigliette, while larger, stuffable shells are called conchiglioni.
no avatar
User

John Tomasso

Rank

Too Big to Fail

Posts

1175

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:27 pm

Location

Buellton, CA

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by John Tomasso » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:31 am

It's an impossible question to answer - it's cruel and inhuman to even suggest such a thing.

However, for the sake of this exercise, I'll pick a long, thicker pasta like bucatini, and then when I need short pasta, I'll just break it into thirds.

I won't be happy, though.
no avatar
User

Howie Hart

Rank

The Hart of Buffalo

Posts

6389

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm

Location

Niagara Falls, NY

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Howie Hart » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:34 am

John Tomasso wrote:It's an impossible question to answer - it's cruel and inhuman to even suggest such a thing.

I agree - but I'd rather have to live with just one style of pasta than have to choose only one wine. :?
no avatar
User

ScottD

Rank

Ultra geek

Posts

232

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:48 pm

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by ScottD » Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:54 am

Stuart Yaniger wrote:I'll be the smartass here and say that I'd pick pasta sheets. That way, I could cut any shape I need.

Hah!


Stuart, I bow down before your perspicacity.

As for me,,, at present I've got a "thing" going for campanelle. It's like the best of all worlds for a smallish shape. It's open enough to hold chunky ingredients and the "funnel" holds sauces really well.

But I'd have to go along with Jenise in that I'd require a string shape too... and I'll take linguini, thank you very much.
no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42509

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Jenise » Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:12 am

Robin Garr wrote: And! Since we DO get to pick a couple of categories, I'll add orzo as my soup pasta. ;)


You're speed reading again! Nobody said you get to pick a couple of catgegories. You have to pick ONE. So what is it?
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

DebA

Rank

Ultra geek

Posts

239

Joined

Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:11 am

Location

N. of the equator

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by DebA » Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:37 am

ScottD wrote:Stuart, I bow down before your perspicacity.


Love that vocab, Scott ;) You would make an excellent Scrabble player! :cool:
no avatar
User

Robin Garr

Rank

Forum Janitor

Posts

21609

Joined

Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Location

Louisville, KY

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Robin Garr » Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:44 am

Jenise wrote:You're speed reading again! Nobody said you get to pick a couple of catgegories. You have to pick ONE. So what is it?


Speed reading, hell! I'm <i>senile</i>!

Okay. I'm with John T. This is cruel and unfair. But if I really, really, really have to take just one pasta to the desert island it's ... ummm ... errrrr ... okay, dammit! It's standard spaghetti. You can't go wrong with the fundamental Roman tradition, and for recipes where long pasta just won't do, you could at least break it into short spoon-size lengths and have <i>something</i>.
no avatar
User

alex metags

Rank

Ultra geek

Posts

166

Joined

Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:55 pm

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by alex metags » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:14 am

Fusilli, since I'm such a screw-up.

cheers,
al
no avatar
User

Bill Spohn

Rank

He put the 'bar' in 'barrister'

Posts

9432

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:31 pm

Location

Vancouver BC

Re: If you had to choose just one pasta shape...

by Bill Spohn » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:19 am

Jenise wrote:...to live with for the rest of your life, what would it be?



Orzo - I could continue to enjoy it when I no longer had teeth.....(ya gotta plan AHEAD!)
Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Amazonbot and 2 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign