Difference between revisions of "Eat Spaghetti"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Using Just a Fork === | === Using Just a Fork === | ||
| − | #Take your fork in your dominant hand. Spaghetti can be eaten with nothing more than a single fork (in fact, this is how the Italians do it).<ref>http://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-are-probably-doing-it-wrong-how-to-eat-pasta-like-an-italian</ref> Almost any standard-sized dinner fork will work. | + | #Take your fork in your dominant hand. Spaghetti can be eaten with nothing more than a single fork (in fact, this is how the Italians do it).<ref name="rf1">http://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-are-probably-doing-it-wrong-how-to-eat-pasta-like-an-italian</ref> Almost any standard-sized dinner fork will work. |
#Catch a few strands of spaghetti in your fork. Lift your fork and, with a scooping motion, gather a small number of strands between the tines of the fork. Point the fork sideways to keep the strands from falling out. Give the fork a quick (but gentle) jerk upward to separate these strands from the rest. | #Catch a few strands of spaghetti in your fork. Lift your fork and, with a scooping motion, gather a small number of strands between the tines of the fork. Point the fork sideways to keep the strands from falling out. Give the fork a quick (but gentle) jerk upward to separate these strands from the rest. | ||
#* You really only need a few strands of spaghetti here. Two, three, or four strands may not look like much, but it will give you a good bite of pasta once it's wound up. | #* You really only need a few strands of spaghetti here. Two, three, or four strands may not look like much, but it will give you a good bite of pasta once it's wound up. | ||
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#Eat the bundle of spaghetti. Set the spoon down. Move the fork up to your mouth — just like you would if you were eating the spaghetti with a fork alone. | #Eat the bundle of spaghetti. Set the spoon down. Move the fork up to your mouth — just like you would if you were eating the spaghetti with a fork alone. | ||
=== Eating Spaghetti Like a True Italian === | === Eating Spaghetti Like a True Italian === | ||
| − | #Don't use a spoon. Above, we've explained how to use a spoon to eat pasta. Though there's nothing "wrong" with doing this, it's not something Italians usually do.<ref | + | #Don't use a spoon. Above, we've explained how to use a spoon to eat pasta. Though there's nothing "wrong" with doing this, it's not something Italians usually do.<ref name="rf1" /> This can be considered a little "clumsy" or "childish," like using chopsticks to spear food and put it into your mouth. |
| − | #* However, it ''is'' common to use a fork with a spoon to serve pasta and toss it with sauce.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/19/garden/the-spoon-question-or-how-to-eat-pasta-like-an-expert.html</ref> | + | #* However, it ''is'' common to use a fork with a spoon to serve pasta and toss it with sauce.<ref name="rf2">http://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/19/garden/the-spoon-question-or-how-to-eat-pasta-like-an-expert.html</ref> |
| − | #Don't cut spaghetti into smaller pieces. Traditionally, spaghetti isn't cut or broken at any time while it's cooked or eaten.<ref>http://www.mannersmentor.com/social-situations/cut-twirl-or-spoon-fun-spaghetti-etquette</ref> This means that you shouldn't break the spaghetti in half before you cook it in boiling water and that you shouldn't use your fork to cut spaghetti strands on your plate.<ref | + | #Don't cut spaghetti into smaller pieces. Traditionally, spaghetti isn't cut or broken at any time while it's cooked or eaten.<ref name="rf3">http://www.mannersmentor.com/social-situations/cut-twirl-or-spoon-fun-spaghetti-etquette</ref> This means that you shouldn't break the spaghetti in half before you cook it in boiling water and that you shouldn't use your fork to cut spaghetti strands on your plate.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#* If you find your spaghetti bundles too large, don't cut your spaghetti — just use fewer strands. | #* If you find your spaghetti bundles too large, don't cut your spaghetti — just use fewer strands. | ||
#Don't plunge your fork into the middle of the spaghetti. This doesn't just look silly — it makes spaghetti awfully hard to eat. Digging right into the center of your spaghetti before you start winding your fork will leave you with an enormous, unwieldy bundle that will be very hard to get to your mouth without spills. | #Don't plunge your fork into the middle of the spaghetti. This doesn't just look silly — it makes spaghetti awfully hard to eat. Digging right into the center of your spaghetti before you start winding your fork will leave you with an enormous, unwieldy bundle that will be very hard to get to your mouth without spills. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | * Italians have certain common-sense rules for which sauces to pair with various pastas. For spaghetti, you'll generally want smoother sauces that can coat the long strands, not chunkier sauces with lots of meat and vegetables. A brief guide to more pasta sauce pairings is available [http://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-are-probably-doing-it-wrong-how-to-eat-pasta-like-an-italian here].<ref | + | * Italians have certain common-sense rules for which sauces to pair with various pastas. For spaghetti, you'll generally want smoother sauces that can coat the long strands, not chunkier sauces with lots of meat and vegetables. A brief guide to more pasta sauce pairings is available [http://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-are-probably-doing-it-wrong-how-to-eat-pasta-like-an-italian here].<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | * If you're eating your pasta with meatballs, you can use your fork to break them into smaller bite-sized pieces if they are large. If they're small, you can eat them without cutting them.<ref | + | * If you're eating your pasta with meatballs, you can use your fork to break them into smaller bite-sized pieces if they are large. If they're small, you can eat them without cutting them.<ref name="rf3" /> |
* Don't be afraid to use a bib or a napkin on your shirt if you're struggling with spaghetti. The minor embarrassment is ''definitely'' worth avoiding stubborn stains! | * Don't be afraid to use a bib or a napkin on your shirt if you're struggling with spaghetti. The minor embarrassment is ''definitely'' worth avoiding stubborn stains! | ||
