An A-Z of Pasta

Book excerpt: From the award-winning British food writer, the essential book for pasta lovers and fans of all things Italian, featuring a mouth-watering, alphabetical collection of 100 recipes, covering 50 different pasta shapes, from alfabeto to ziti, and everything in between. "A flat-out joyous celebration of the Italian noodle in all its splendid variousness—personal, deeply-lived, and utterly authoritative. That rare book that you will use for the rest of your life. A gift. Brava! Bravissima!" —Bill Buford, best-selling author of Heat and Dirt This is the story of pasta. Award-winning food writer Rachel Roddy has lived and cooked in Rome for almost two decades. She has spent years browsing bucolic Italian markets, cooking with fresh and seasonal vegetables, discovering cheeses, and perfecting the art of making Italy’s favorite food: pasta. Now she has condensed everything she’s learned about pasta in a practical, highly entertaining collection of recipes that will ensure authentic Italian meals and take your pasta dishes to the next level. In this cookbook, you will learn the many ways to pair pasta shapes with sauces, how to make certain pastas from scratch and how to best serve them—from Cavatelli with Sausage, Mint, and Tomato to Fregula with Clams; and from Bucatini with Cauliflower, Saffron, and Anchovies to a spaghetti for every night of the week and a Bolognese-style lasagna. Here, too, are short essays that weave together the history, culture, and astonishing variety of pasta shapes from the tip to the toe of Italy. Featuring the familiar favorites—pesto, ragù, and carbonara—and new twists on classics, as well as tricks and techniques for maximum flavor, An A-Z of Pasta is a glorious celebration of pasta and an excellent addition to any kitchen.