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Also Known as
Little Strings
Description
Spaghetti is a long, thin form of pasta. It is versatile, popular, and available throughout the Western world. The word spaghetti can be literally translated as "little strings".
How to Select
Buy a good quality brand of spaghetti. The appearance of the spaghetti can help you determine its quality. Dried pasta should be a translucent, creamy yellow color without any tint of gray. When held up to the light it should appear translucent, without signs of any air bubbles or dark specs. The dark specs should only appear if it due to the type of flavoring agent used. The surface of spaghetti pasta should have a slightly rough matte finish, which helps hold the sauce to the pasta.
Reading the food label or package will supply you with information to help you make a selection on which pasta to purchase. It also includes nutritional information. The nutritional value of the pasta will also be shown on the label or package. It will show calories, fat and cholesterol content, and it will list the nutrients contained. The food label or package may also contain other information such as cooking instructions and estimated serving sizes.
Cooked spaghetti
Boil plenty of water in a large pan with 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of oil.
Add the spaghetti to the boiling water by adding a few at a time. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally and gently until the pasta is tender. Cooking times may vary with the size and the thickness of the pasta. Immediately drain the cooked pasta into a sieve or a colander. Transfer to a bowl of cold water to refresh it. Drain again and keep aside.If the pasta is not to be used immediately, add 1 tbsp of oil to it and toss it.
Culinary Uses
" Stir fry spaghetti with steamed vegetables.
" Spaghetti is a simple-to-make, family-friendly meal--and it's especially wonderful when you can add your own personal touches to make it even that much more delicious.
" As a simple quick-cook dinner, you can prepare this version of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce in about 30 minutes.
" Soy sauce is the secret ingredient that adds a zesty taste to spaghetti.
" Serve the hot pasta with your favorite sauce, garlic bread, and fresh green salad and Parmesan cheese.
How to Store
Store it, unopened, in a cool, dry cupboard for six to eight months or as per the expiry date. Dried, fresh, and cooked pasta need to be stored in different ways. Fresh pasta will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator and can also be frozen. Cooked pasta will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge or freezer. When refrigerating or freezing cooked pasta, be sure it is stored in a well sealed container so that it does not absorb any odors.
Health Benefits
" Spaghetti is a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates that gives instant vitamins, minerals and energy.
" Spaghetti is nearly fat free; the sauces and other toppings added to the pasta are what add calories and fat. To maintain the low fat, low calorie advantages of pasta, it is important to keep the sauce low-fat also.