Dorothy FarrarPasta
Pasta refers to an internationally known foodstuff made from durum wheat semolina, rice or other cereals. They are eaten with pasta sauces, meat and vegetables as a side or main dish, and in soups.
Here’s what you should know about pasta
Noodles are one of the oldest foods of civilization. Contrary to popular belief, they do not come from Italy, but very likely from East Asia. At least that’s where the first evidence of pasta comes from, which is now 4000 years old. Around the same time, noodles were also being developed in different forms in other parts of the world. Strictly speaking, noodles are all conceivable shapes of noodles made from grain dough. These include classics such as fusilli, rigatoni or spaghetti as well as lasagne plates. There are also forms such as Japanese soba or udon noodles.
The word “noodle” continues to appear in other dishes that are not actually noodles. These include, for example, steamed noodles made from yeast dough, potato or Schupfnudeln or poppy seed noodles made from potatoes, flour, eggs and salt.
In this country, pasta is usually made from durum wheat semolina, but other types of grain can also be used. The finished pasta dough can then be colored, for example with spinach , tomatoes or cuttlefish. In other cultures, noodles are supplemented by other forms such as rice noodles.
importance to health
The noodle is a popular nutrient similar to rice or potatoes . Noodles consist primarily of durum wheat semolina and a little water, which is why the grain content is the only nutrient supplier in the noodle. Dyes are contained in such small amounts that they hardly have any effect.
Noodles fill you up due to their high carbohydrate content, but in large quantities they can also increase the body’s sugar intake. By processing the whole grain, whole grain pasta can contribute valuable ingredients from the type of grain used as well as dietary fiber for intestinal cleansing . Some noodles are made from wheat semolina and eggs .
Ingredients & nutritional values
Gluten is present in nearly all western pasta styles due to the use of wheat or other grains containing gluten. Pasta consists mainly of carbohydrates , which are recognized and metabolized by the body as a source of energy, but also as sugar . Wholemeal pasta contains significantly more fiber than light-colored pasta, which is why it is considered healthier. Egg noodles, on the other hand, have a slightly higher protein content due to the use of the whole egg.
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 352 kcal/ 1474 kj | |
| protein | 12,34 g | |
| carbohydrates | 68,29 g | |
| Fett | 2,78 g | |
| Water | 10,70 g | |
| fiber | 5,00 g | |
| Vitamin B3 | 1900 µg | |
| Vitamin E | 210 µg | |
intolerances
Intolerance to (chicken) eggs and gluten should be taken into account when it comes to pasta. Almost all conventional pasta contains gluten, as it is made from wheat or closely related grains containing gluten. However, thanks to the growing awareness of celiac disease , there are now pasta made from alternatives such as corn flour that do not contain gluten, so they can be eaten if you are gluten intolerant .
Intolerance to eggs can be problematic with egg noodles. Not all commercially available noodles contain eggs, and you won’t find them in Asian types of noodles either. There will usually be a note on the pasta package that indicates the use of eggs and gluten.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Noodles are usually preserved by drying and can hardly spoil afterwards. Especially with thin noodles such as spaghetti or tagliatelle, it is advisable to store them in an airtight bag or can if they are to be stored for a very long time. Otherwise, they can become brittle over time and lose some of their flavor.
Thicker noodles are less sensitive and can be stored longer without much precaution. Colored noodles usually contain natural, plant-based coloring agents that can become sensitive to direct sunlight over time. These often bring a gentle taste of their own, which is lost over time through long direct exposure to light, which is why they should also be well sealed and not stored in direct light.
Egg noodles are a bit more perishable due to the egg content, so it is important to pay attention to the expiration date. Months or even years of storage is no problem for commercial pasta. Only fresh pasta is perishable and should be prepared immediately.
preparation tips
Noodles can be part of a main course or as a side dish. They are served as an ingredient in a soup or with a pasta sauce, whereby the shape of the noodle absorbs more or less of the sauce and thus influences the taste of the dish. Some dishes therefore benefit particularly from certain pasta shapes and change in taste when they are prepared with different pasta.
The cooking time of noodles varies, but is a few minutes for almost all noodles. Either the noodles can be cooked together with the dish, or they are given a separate pot of boiling salted water. The addition of oil prevents the noodles from sticking together when cooking, although Asian noodles usually do without oil because they don’t stick.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.