This do-it-yourself spaghetti alla chitarra recipe with tiny meatballs is a novel conventional pasta recipe from Abruzzo, Central Italy. Abruzzo is the one Italian area the place you will see this scrumptious dish, until you make it your self! Positively value doing!
Spaghetti alla chitarra con pallotine.
On a latest journey to Abruzzo, we loved spaghetti alla chitarra with tiny meatballs (referred to as pallotine) at a small restaurant on the Abruzzo coast. It was so good, I used to be impressed to make it myself as soon as we obtained house!
Though this recipe takes a little bit of time to make, the components are simply accessible in all places. The one downside could also be getting your fingers on a chitarra, the standard device used to make the pasta!
What’s a chitarra?
Because the identify suggests, chitarra means guitar in Italian. Nonetheless, on this case, we aren’t speaking a couple of musical instrument. We’re referring to a pasta making device initially from Abruzzo. These days, this device is fabricated from a beech wooden body that has metal strings strung throughout it lengthwise, like a guitar.
Actually, when releasing the prepared spaghetti from the chitarra, you should strum the metal strings if the pasta sticks a bit! Really, fairly musical!
I’ve learn that the metal strings on a chitarra are literally one string which is manually inserted on the picket body after which tightened with screws or picket stoppers. Actually, if one line breaks, it’s a must to exchange the entire string on either side.
I’m unsure if that is true of all fashionable guitar pasta makers. These days, you should buy a chitarra with strings on either side. The narrowly spaced strings are for spaghetti alla chitarra, and the broader strings can be utilized to make tagliatelle.
Historical past
In keeping with one article I discovered, the primary written proof of a chitarra dates to 1871 when the device for making pasta was talked about in a notary’s doc, as a part of a bride’s dowry! Nonetheless, it’s probably that this pasta device was in use lengthy earlier than that.
The ancestor of the chitarra was a picket cutter rolling pin often called ‘lu rentrocelo’, within the native dialect. You could find each instruments on the market right here in Italy and on-line.
When shopping for a chitarra, it’s vital to ensure that the strings are chrome steel. Prior to now they had been constituted of copper or brass, which rusted. Cheaper variations typically have plastic strings which don’t work properly.
What’s the distinction between regular spaghetti and spaghetti alla chitarra?
Not like conventional spaghetti, which is definitely spherical, spaghetti alla chitarra is sq. lower and has a rougher floor. These distinctive traits permit the sauce to stick higher to the pasta.
These days, you should buy dried spaghetti alla chitarra or different sq. lower spaghetti usually referred to as quadratti. These can substitute the spaghetti on this alla termana recipe should you can’t make the pasta your self.
Spaghetti alla chitarra with tiny meatballs.
Often known as chitarrine or chitarra alla teramana, this explicit spaghetti alla chitarra recipe comes from the province and metropolis of Teramo in Abruzzo, therefore the identify. Some folks check with this recipe as the unique spaghetti with meatballs and its origins are definitely older than the dish loved within the USA. Nonetheless, right here the meatballs are actually tiny, including a meaty flavour to the sauce with out turning into the principle focus of the dish.
Totally different variations of chitarra alla Teramana.
Like different conventional and historic Italian pasta recipes, there are totally different variations of this recipe. Some folks make the meatballs very merely with simply floor veal or beef, olive oil, salt and pepper. Within the model I adopted, the meatballs are richer and mix cheese, egg and nutmeg with the meat. Different recipes embrace breadcrumbs within the meatballs.
The accompanying sauce for this spaghetti alla chitarra recipe can even differ from one prepare dinner to a different. In some circumstances, the sauce comprises totally different cuts of meat reminiscent of lamb chops, pork ribs and beef or veal. Different variations, just like the one I made, name for a easy meat free tomato sauce.
Once I search on Italian web sites for the unique spaghetti alla chitarra with tiny meatballs, I get variations with meat within the sauce and variations with no meat within the sauce. I went with a meatless sauce as a result of it’s simpler, lighter and more healthy. Plus, the dish we loved in Abruzzo lately was additionally made with simply tomato sauce and tiny meatballs.
Alternative ways to make spaghetti alla chitarra.
Just like there being selection within the components for the sauce, the pasta on this recipe can also be made in numerous methods. You may make spaghetti alla chitarra with simply effective tender wheat flour (Italian 00 flour) or coarser tender wheat flour (Italian 0 flour) and eggs, with each tender wheat and onerous wheat flour and eggs, and with onerous wheat flour solely and eggs.
I used each forms of flour (200g ‘00’ tender wheat and 100 g onerous wheat) plus 3 eggs and a pinch of salt.
Elements you have to for this alla chitarra recipe.
For the pasta dough.
Italian ‘00’ tender wheat flour. Some spaghetti alla chitarra recipes use solely tender wheat flour. Right here in Italy, that’s often what Italians name ‘00’ flour, which is the best milled white flour. You may as well use Italian ‘0’ flour which is extra coarsely floor or all-purpose flour.
Italian durum wheat semolina flour. The recipe I adopted referred to as for some onerous wheat semolina flour at a ratio of 1:2. (100g semolina flour to 200 g tender wheat flour). Semolina flour is greater in gluten and helps the pasta maintain its form when cooked.
Eggs. I like to make use of massive free vary natural eggs delivered to room temperature earlier than utilizing.
For the tomato sauce.
Carrots, onions and celery: These 3 greens make up what Italians name the ‘soffritto’. That is the bottom of many sauces and soups. It’s the Italian equal of the French mirepoix or the Spanish sofrito.
Tomato passata. Italian passata is actually simply puréed raw tomatoes with no added flavouring. You may as well use canned peeled or chopped tomatoes as a substitute. However the sauce might have a thicker consistency.
Seasoning. Salt and pepper. I favor freshly floor black pepper.
Olive oil. A great high quality olive oil will add a greater flavour to the sauce.
For the pallotine (tiny meatballs).
Finely floor beef or veal. The meat must be finely floor because the meatballs are very small. Each beef and veal are generally used.
Grated cheese. Historically the cheese within the meatballs is Pecorino from Abruzzo. I used Grana. You may as well use Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano. Pecorino tends so as to add a saltier sharper flavour.
Nutmeg. Simply ½ a flat teaspoon is sufficient and even much less should you favor.
1 massive egg, ideally free vary and natural.
Oil for frying. I used a vegetable oil to fry the meatballs. Some recipes say to boil the meatballs, however I feel frying makes them tastier.
Step-by-step directions with ideas.
Make the alla chitarra pasta dough.
Sift the ‘00’ flour and semolina flour right into a bowl with salt and eggs. Begin to beat the eggs with a fork after which combine the whole lot collectively. It is higher to first use a fork after which together with your fingers.
After getting the beginnings of a dough that doesn’t keep on with the edges of the bowl, flip the dough out onto a floured work floor, and proceed kneading together with your fingers for 5-10 minutes. Roll the dough right into a ball and wrap it in clingfilm (plastic wrap) and let it relaxation for about half-hour.
Make the meatballs.
Put the bottom meat right into a bowl. Add the egg after which the opposite components. Begin mixing the whole lot along with a fork after which use your fingers till all of the components are properly integrated, however not too compact.
Take very small items of the meatball combination and roll them into tiny balls (1.5-2cm in diameter) utilizing one hand to roll and the palm of your different hand because the rolling floor. Two meatballs ought to match on a teaspoon.
Place the meatballs on a flour dusted floor as you make them. You need to use oil or water in your fingers to make the rolling simpler.
Warmth some vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs till they begin to brown on all sides. Don’t allow them to get too brown. Take away the meatballs and place them in a bowl on some kitchen paper to empty the surplus oil. You could must fry the meatballs in batches.
Make the tomato sauce.
Chop the onion, carrot and celery finely. Warmth some olive oil in a deep frying pan, that is sufficiently big to carry the sauce and pasta collectively. Sauté the greens till they begin to soften. Add the tomato passata and simmer for no less than half-hour. Add salt and pepper to style.
Make the spaghetti alla chitarra.
Minimize off a couple of quarter of the dough and roll it out into a big rectangle on a flour dusted work floor or through the use of a hand-cranked pasta machine. Purpose for sheets which might be about 3 mm or ⅛-inch thick. Often that is the third or fourth setting on a pasta machine.
Mud with a beneficiant quantity of semolina flour after which lay the pasta sheet on the chitarra. In case your sheet is longer than the chitarra you’ll be able to lower it so there may be area between the highest and backside ends of the dough and the purpose the place the chitarra strings finish.
Alternatively, fold the overlapping dough onto the strings after you’ve got began to push a few of the pasta by means of together with your rolling pin.
Roll a rolling pin over the sheet of dough, making use of an excellent quantity of strain from high to backside. Repeat this movement till the sheet is lower and the spaghetti falls by means of the strings.
Flip the chitarra sideways and use one hand to catch the spaghetti because it slides by means of the open facet. Drag the freshly lower spaghetti by means of extra semolina flour earlier than setting it apart on a sheet of baking paper or tea towel-lined tray.
End and Serve.
Put a pot of water onto boil for the pasta. Add salt as soon as it begins to boil and produce to a boil once more. Prepare dinner the spaghetti alla chitarra till al dente.
Within the meantime, add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer till heated by means of. Then take away a few of the meatballs and somewhat sauce to pour over the alla chitarra as soon as plated.
When the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the remaining sauce and meatballs. Combine the whole lot collectively rigorously over a low warmth for a minute or two. Then plate and add a few of the additional meatballs and sauce on high of the prepared servings.
What to do with leftovers.
Any raw recent spaghetti alla chitarra could be frozen after which cooked with out defrosting.
You may maintain any leftover pasta and Teramana sauce already blended collectively sealed within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat within the microwave, or in a frying pan with somewhat butter or bake it in a sizzling oven with some grated cheese sprinkled on high.
You probably have leftover cooked sauce and/or meatballs (with out pasta) these could be frozen for as much as 2 months.
Pin for later.
Let me know what you suppose.
Selfmade spaghetti alla chitarra is such a scrumptious pasta. However, if you cannot make your individual, you need to use a dried model of the pasta. Both manner, I am positive you’ll love the alla teramana sauce with the tiny meatballs. The latter are such enjoyable to make and really tasty!
In the event you do this spaghetti alla chitarra recipe at house, I might love to listen to the way it seems. Write a remark right here on the weblog or be part of and submit a remark and picture on my Pastaliciousness Fb group.
Your suggestions is vital to me!
Buon appetito!
Different do-it-yourself pasta recipes from Abruzzo to attempt.
- Selfmade anellini pasta rings
- Selfmade corn and wheat flour pasta triangles
- Fregnacce Abruzzesi, baked fazzoletti (handkerchief) pasta.
- Cannelloni all’abruzzese
Selfmade spaghetti alla chitarra recipe.
Often known as chitarrine or chitarra alla teramana, this spaghetti alla chitarra recipe comes from the province and metropolis of Teramo in Abruzzo. The tomato sauce comprises tiny veal or beef meatballs and the pasta is made utilizing a novel device referred to as a chitarra (guitar). After all you need to use dried pasta as a substitute.
Tools
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1 massive deep frying pan
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1 Rolling Pin if making do-it-yourself pasta
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1 chitarra if making do-it-yourself pasta
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1 wooden pastry board. if making do-it-yourself pasta
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1 hand operated pasta machine if making do-it-yourself pasta (non-compulsory)
Elements
For the spaghetti alla chitarra dough
- 7 ounces Italian ‘oo’ tender wheat flour
- 3.5 ounces durum wheat semolina flour
- 3 eggs (massive)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the tomato sauce
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery finely chopped
- 1.5 kilos tomato passata
- 1 pinch salt to style
- freshly floor black pepper. to style (non-compulsory)
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
For the tiny meatballs
- 1 pound floor beef or veal finely floor.
- 1 egg
- 1.5 ounces Parmigiano or Grana
- 2 pinches freshly grated nutmeg
- salt to style
- vegetable oil for frying
Directions
Make the pasta dough.
-
Sift the ‘00’ flour and semolina flour right into a bowl with salt and eggs. Begin to beat the eggs with a fork after which combine the whole lot collectively first utilizing a fork after which together with your fingers.
-
After getting the beginnings of a dough that doesn’t keep on with the edges of the bowl, flip it out onto a floured work floor, and proceed kneading together with your fingers for 5-10 minutes till it is tender and elastic. Roll the dough right into a ball and wrap it in clingfilm (plastic wrap) and let it relaxation for about half-hour.
Make the meatballs.
-
Put the bottom meat right into a bowl. Add the egg after which the opposite components. Begin mixing the whole lot along with a fork after which use your fingers till all of the components are properly integrated.
-
Take very small items of the meatball combination and roll them into tiny balls (1.5-2cm in diameter) utilizing one hand to roll and the palm of your different hand because the rolling floor. Place the meatballs on a flour dusted floor as you make them. You need to use oil or water in your fingers to make the rolling simpler.
-
Warmth some vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs till they begin to brown on all sides. Don’t allow them to get too brown. Take away the meatballs and place them in a bowl on some kitchen paper to empty the surplus oil. You could must fry the meatballs in batches.
Make the tomato sauce.
-
Chop the onion, carrot and celery finely. Warmth some olive oil in a deep frying pan. Sauté the greens till they begin to soften. Add the tomato passata, stir and simmer for no less than half-hour. Add salt and pepper to style.
Make the spaghetti alla chitarra.
-
Minimize off a couple of quarter of the dough and roll it out into a big rectangle on a flour dusted work floor or through the use of a hand-cranked pasta machine. Purpose for sheets which might be about 3 mm or ⅛-inch thick. Often that is the third or fourth setting on a pasta machine.
-
Mud with semolina flour after which lay the pasta sheet on the chitarra. In case your sheet is longer than the chitarra you’ll be able to lower it so there may be area between the highest and backside ends of the dough and the purpose the place the chitarra strings finish. Alternatively, fold the overlapping dough onto the strings after you’ve got began to push a few of the pasta by means of together with your rolling pin and roll over the turned ends.
-
Roll a rolling pin over the sheet of dough, making use of an excellent quantity of strain from high to backside. Repeat this movement till the sheet is lower and the spaghetti falls by means of the strings. Flip the chitarra sideways so the spaghetti slides out by means of the open facet. Drag the freshly lower spaghetti by means of extra semolina flour earlier than setting it apart on a sheet of baking paper or tea towel-lined tray.
End and serve.
-
Put a pot of water onto boil for the pasta. Add salt as soon as it begins to boil and produce to a boil once more. Prepare dinner the spaghetti alla chitarra till al dente.
-
Whereas the water boils, add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer till heated by means of. Then take away a few of the meatballs and somewhat sauce to pour over the alla chitarra as soon as plated.
-
When the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the remaining sauce and meatballs. Combine the whole lot collectively rigorously over a low warmth for a minute or two. Then plate and add a few of the additional meatballs and sauce on high of the prepared servings. Serve with extra grated cheese if required.
Forestall your display from going darkish
Notes
This recipe makes a starter portion for six folks. In Italy, this spaghetti alla chitarra recipe can be served as a primary course or ‘primo’.
For recommendations on what to do with leftovers see the principle content material above.
Vitamin
Energy: 562kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 27gFats: 28gSaturated Fats: 9gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 13gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 168mgSodium: 646mgPotassium: 880mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2522IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 6mg
If you’re involved in shopping for a chitarra or different conventional pasta making instruments try my store web page (affliate hyperlinks). Plus whilst you’re there why not order a replica of one among my pasta recipe cookbooks? They make nice prezzies for pasta lovers!
Extra Spaghetti/Maccheroni alla Chitarra
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