Italian Food Etiquette: Spaghetti

The most popular and widely recognized Italian food today is spaghetti. However, it appears that no other Italian food has led to such amazement in working out the mannered way to eat it. It has become bad enough that when taking a date to eat Italian food, both parties will duck the spaghetti in order elude making a mess or looking less than enticing whilst eating it. Spaghetti is a tasty Italian food and there doesn’t need to be all this stress related to eating it in public. Forget what you’ve been told what follows is how you eat spaghetti.

First off, if you are lucky to be eating at an Italian food eaterie or Italian home that is actually in Italy, then you need to keep your hands on the table. Now when I say hands, still no elbows. Also, be certain to wait till everyone seems to be served before you start to eat. The most often repeated Italian food recommendation given is to employ a spoon to aid in eating spaghetti. Unfortunately this is also the most widely spread Italian food myth. Whatever you do, don’t use a spoon. It is considered very bad form. Just use your fork, I should explain ways to do it and keep your Italian food on your fork and not on the table or your shirt. Another oft repeated word of advice is to simply cut the spaghetti noodles shorter. Again, this is erroneous. Spaghetti is about ten inches long and is the right length, you need to never cut it. It is also critical not to slurp the spaghetti.

Any sounds you make whilst eating are thought to be rude. Italian food is known for its wonderful sauces, be cautious not to splatter them all over the table and your clothes. On this note, don’t ever wear a napkin like a bib; it is awfully tacky and inappropriate. While spaghetti might be your fave Italian food, it’s not a dish that should be served for large or formal parties, largely because of the issues that cause an article of this nature to be written. Choose instead to serve an Italian food comprised of short pasta that is simpler to serve and eat.

Now it is time to teach you the right method to use when eating that ever preferred Italian food, spaghetti. Spaghetti is served in a bowl with a rim. You would like to push the spaghetti to the middle of the bowl, making room at the front. Now take a small bit of the spaghetti with your fork and push it to the front of the bowl. Now hold your fork vertically with the prongs against the rim and turn the fork clockwise to wrap the noodles around the fork. Then lift your fork and inspect the length of the noodles hanging to see if it’s a good idea to continue with placing it in your mouth. It is always best to err on the side of caution and put too much spaghetti on your fork.

If you must, lower the fork back down and take a smaller bunch of noodles and twirl them again. Better to take a little time than to end up with Italian food all over the place. Following these tips will make sure that you impress your friends at an Italian food eaterie and get invited back to eat Italian food at a family’s home.

What kind of food do you like making? Visit cooking101.org to get some of the simplest recipes you can use for your next meal. Also check out pasta primavera.

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