Spaghetti Etiquette in Italian Food

The most popular and widely recognized Italian food today is spaghetti. However, it seems that no other Italian food has caused such consternation in figuring out the polite way to eat it. It has become so bad that when taking a date to eat Italian food, both parties will avoid the spaghetti in order avoid making a mess or looking less than attractive while eating it. Spaghetti is a delicious Italian food and there doesn't need to be all this stress associated with eating it in public. Forget what you've been told what follows is how you eat spaghetti.

First off, if you are fortunate to be eating at an Italian food restaurant or Italian home that is actually in Italy, then you need to keep your hands on the table. Now when I say hands, I mean hands, still no elbows. Also, be sure to wait until everyone is served before you start to eat. The most often repeated Italian food advice given is to use 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'll explain how 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 should never cut it. It's also important not to slurp the spaghetti.

Any sounds you make while eating are considered rude. Italian food is known for its wonderful sauces, be careful 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 very tacky and inappropriate. While spaghetti might be your favorite Italian food, it is 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 easier to serve and eat.

Now it is time to teach you the proper technique to use when eating that ever popular Italian food, spaghetti. Spaghetti is served in a bowl with a rim. You want to push the spaghetti to the center of the bowl, making room at the front. Now take a little 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 in order to wrap the noodles around the fork. Then lift your fork and examine the length of the noodles hanging to see if it's a good idea to proceed with putting it in your mouth. It is always best to err on the side of caution and put too little rather than too much spaghetti on your fork.

If you need to, 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 ensure that you impress your friends at an Italian food restaurant and get invited back to eat Italian food at a family's home.

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Free Spaghetti Squash Recipes and Cooking Instructions

When cooked, a fork can easily poke through the skin, and the flesh will easily separate into long strands with a fork. The average 4 pound squash will give you about five cups of flesh. Use the "spaghetti" right away, or place in freezer bags in the freezer for use at another meal.
These best five ways to cook spaghetti squash are in the order of cooking time.If you have all day, set the crock pot on, or if you like that fresh baked smell to fill the house, bake it in the oven. If you just want to get it done and start eating as fast as you can, I would suggest the microwave. Try out all the different ways and see what you like best!



#1 - In the Crock Pot - Pick a squash that can fit in your crock pot whole. Pole holes through the shell with a fork, and place in the crock pot. Add a couple of cups of water, and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until fork pokes through skin easily.
#2 - In the Oven, Whole - Poke holes in the skin several times with a fork. Place the entire squash in the oven. Cook at 375F for about 1 hour, or until soft.
#3 - Boil in a Pot - Find a pot big enough to hold your squash. Fill with enough water to cover the whole squash and set to boil. When the water is boiling, add the squash and cook 20-30 minutes until fork pokes through skin easily.
#4 - In the Oven, Halved - Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Place open sides down onto a baking sheet and place in the oven. Cook at 375F for 20-30 minutes or until skin is easily poked with a fork.
#5 - Microwave in a Dish - Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Place squash in a microwaveable dish with the open side up. Add a few cups of water, and cover with saran wrap. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes covered, then test to see if it is done, and cook longer if needed.
I found that slicing the squash in half and scooping out the seeds first, before it was cooked was easier then scooping out the seeds after, and trying to sort out the flesh from the seeds when cooked together.
Here are some good spaghetti squash recipes to use cooked squash.
Spaghetti Squash Recipe with Cheese
This is also a really quick dinner especially if squash is cooked ahead of time. If you like cheese, and squash this will quickly become a favorite dish!
1 large spaghetti squash cooked and prepared.
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Mix all ingredients in microwave safe dish or oven safe dish. Microwave for 2-5 minutes, or heat in oven for 5-8 minutes until all ingredients are hot and cheese is melted.
Serve.
Spaghetti Squash Bake Recipe
It is so quick and easy to put together. Bake the squash ahead of time, then throw the ingredients together, and serve to the table only 10 minutes later. Makes a great lunch or dinner! Or use the leftovers for a snack!
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups spinach
1/2 fresh tomato chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup spaghetti squash cooked and prepared
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated cheese
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients except cheese. Pour into a casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Serve. (Per Serving - 3.3 g carbohydrates) (serves 6)
Layered Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Preparing the squash then layering in individual bowls or a large family size glass bowl creates an interesting look and gets the taste buds going, before even lifting the fork to eat.
1 large spaghetti squash cooked and prepared
1 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 pound ground meat (your choice)
3/4 cups mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Cook squash. Cook meat. Heat ricotta cheese in microwave. Heat up spaghetti sauce.
Layer in a large bowl, or in individual bowls, squash, ricotta cheese, meat, mozzarella cheese, spaghetti sauce, then parmesan cheese.
Serve. (Per Serving 14 g carbohydrates, 6.6 g fiber) (serves 6)
Basic Spaghetti Squash Recipe
This is a good starting point. It is a place to get ideas, and think of new things to add to your squash. All you need is:
Flesh from 1 large spaghetti squash, (about 5 cups)
Miscellaneous ingredients of your choice. Ideas are below.
After cooking and preparing the squash start pulling out all the ingredients you like or feel like adding today, and mix it all together, and serve warm.
This can be any amount to your taste any of the following:
Garlic, salt, pepper and other herbs and spices that you like, fennel, dill, curry, red pepper flakes
Meat choices are endless, ground beef, ground turkey, diced chicken, pork strips
For cheeses there is Parmesan, Feta, Cheddar, mozzarella, blue
Vegetable choices are also endless, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli, peppers
If you are adding tomato sauce, put it on at the end as a garnish. This will prevent the squash from becoming mushy.
Have fun, enjoy and try new things!

T Lynch

Whole Grain Baked Spaghetti

A hearty spaghetti pie recipe using whole grain pasta. Eating more fiber can help you feel fuller longer and assist in weight loss. A diet high in fiber may also help prevent colon cancer Adequate levels of fiber can also help against breast cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, diabetes and obesity.

The pasta used in this recipe is a sneaky way to get your family to eat more whole grains. In addition, the ground turkey is lower in fat than ground beef. You can also substitute the cheeses for lower fat counterparts without sacrificing too much flavor.
Ingredients:
4 ounces whole grain spaghetti noodles
2 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 12 oz. container cottage cheese
8 ounces ground turkey
1 cup sliced mushrooms
one half small onion, diced
half small green pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons diced garlic
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasonings
dash salt
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Preheat oven to 350. Cook whole grain spaghetti according to package directions, drain and set aside. Spray a deep pie plate with olive oil cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat 1 egg with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Add noodles to egg mixture, stir gently and place in pie plate.
In a small bowl, mix 1 egg with the cottage cheese. Spread onto the noodles. Cook ground turkey along with the vegetables until meat is thoroughly browned. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Then spoon on top of noodle/cheese mixture in the pie plate. Bake 25-30 minutes then stop with mozzarella cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts.

Delicious Chicken Spaghetti Recipes

I love these recipes. I used chicken breast. I also like to make it with angel hair spaghetti. It is absolutely yummy and very easy to make. I like to sprinkle crushed pepper on top. My family loves this, even my oh-so-picky 5 years old! I use the cream of chicken with herbs soup, we like the extra kick.
Ingredients of chicken spaghetti recipe #1:1 chicken1 cup onion, chopped2-3 stalks celery, chopped1 cup bell peppers, chopped½ cup butter1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup1 (10 1/2 ounce) can mushroom soup1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce16 ounce spaghetti2 cups Velveeta cheese or parmesan cheese, for topping
Methods of chicken spaghetti recipe #1:
Boil chicken with onion, celery, butter, salt, and pepper until chicken is done.
Take chicken out of broth and remove from bone, while spaghetti is cooking in broth until done.
Put debunked chicken back in with spaghetti and broth.
Add cans of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup.
Add the tomato sauce.
Add Velveeta cheese to taste.
Serve hot Notes:
You don't have use celery if you don't like it. No problem!
Maybe you want one more chicken spaghetti recipe.
Ingredients of chicken spaghetti recipe #2 (Makes 4 servings):1/4 Cup soy sauce2 Tablespoons water2 Tablespoons brown sugar1 Tablespoon sesame oil1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar1 Tablespoon cornstarch1 Garlic clove -- minced1 Teaspoon minced fresh ginger1/4 Teaspoon black pepper1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper4 Skinless, Boneless chicken breast halves1 Green Pepper cut into strips1 Cup shredded red cabbage2 Celery ribs, sliced -- optional1/4 Cup sliced green onions1 Package vermicelli or angel hair pasta -- 8Oz
Directions of chicken spaghetti recipe #2:
Combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger and both peppers. Place in a dish.
Cut chicken into 1/2-inch strips; add to marinade. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Toward end of marinating time, bring salted water to boiling for cooking pasta.
Remove dish from refrigerator. Sautee until chicken is tender and sauce is thickened. Stir in bell pepper, cabbage, celery and green onions. Cook until vegetables are crisp tender. Add pasta to boiling water and follow package directions. Drain. Spoon chicken mixture over top.

Whole Grain Baked Spaghetti

A hearty spaghetti pie recipe using whole grain pasta. Eating more fiber can help you feel fuller longer and assist in weight loss. A diet high in fiber may also help prevent colon cancer Adequate levels of fiber can also help against breast cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, diabetes and obesity.
The pasta used in this recipe is a sneaky way to get your family to eat more whole grains. In addition, the ground turkey is lower in fat than ground beef. You can also substitute the cheeses for lower fat counterparts without sacrificing too much flavor.
Ingredients:
4 ounces whole grain spaghetti noodles
2 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 12 oz. container cottage cheese
8 ounces ground turkey
1 cup sliced mushrooms
one half small onion, diced
half small green pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons diced garlic
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasonings
dash salt
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Preheat oven to 350. Cook whole grain spaghetti according to package directions, drain and set aside. Spray a deep pie plate with olive oil cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat 1 egg with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Add noodles to egg mixture, stir gently and place in pie plate.
In a small bowl, mix 1 egg with the cottage cheese. Spread onto the noodles. Cook ground turkey along with the vegetables until meat is thoroughly browned. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Then spoon on top of noodle/cheese mixture in the pie plate. Bake 25-30 minutes then stop with mozzarella cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts.
For more tasty and healthy whole foods recipes for families, visit NaturalMomsRecipes.com