Joe, please help settle argument!

[Laurie]

Hi, Joe!

We were having dinner tonight and I was laughing with Scott about how his mother invited me for mostaccioli one night. When we sat down to dinner, it was elbow macaroni with a beef & tomato sauce. Hence began a debate about whether mostaccioli is a dish or a pasta. I argue that mostaccioli is a type of pasta that can be used to make many different dishes. Scott argues that mostaccioli is a specific dish.

Please set this poor man straight!

Everyone else, gang, feel free to chime in - I just figured Joe is our resident expert on Italian food...

Thanks!

[judygram]

Laurie, it looks like to me it is the name of a type of pasta, like elbows or rotini, it is a shape of pasta, but the Italian expert will clarify it for us thats for sure.

[dblhelix]

I think you have it right Laurie. There are many dishes that call for mostaccioli pasta:

 

http://www.barillaus.com/Home/Pages/Mostaccioli.aspx

[danmcq]

I'm with everyone else, it's a Pasta, not a dish name.

 

Well, I guess if you just ate the pasta virgin..nothing added, you could call it "Mostaccioli Straight-Up" B)

[Laurie]

Thanks for your help, guys!

[judygram]

Well the expert has not been on since you posted your question, so we will wait for his official blessing, but I am sure you are right on this one.

[nevjoe]

First of all, Laurie your RIGHT in you argument. Elbows are not Mostaccioli, BUT some Italians have different terms for their dishes.

Each style of pasta is made to suite a different sauce that it will be used with. A true Mostaccioli style of pasta is one that is a lot like Ziti, but larger, without lines, so the Elbows are smaller but have no lines. The thickness of the sauce is best used without line in the pasta.

To understand the name of dishes in Italian cooking is wild when it comes to home cooking. It's a little better in restaurants, but that depends on the owner. Now the Chains have their own way of doing it. If you have eaten in a family style restaurant they are more close to the right way of classic cooking. (NOT ALWAYS) The best place I know is Vegas gourmet Italian restaurants. Most of the chefs are from the old country, so if your there spend the extra bucks and ENJOY.

 

Joe

[Laurie]

Thank you, thank you!

I knew I could count on you, Joe!