Tagliatelle

Tagliatelle are the classic pasta of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. They are long, flat ribbons, similar in shape to fettuccine, but typically about .75 in / 2 cm wide. They can be served with a variety of sauces, though the classic is a meat sauce or Bolognese sauce.

History

Tagliatelle are an expression of the art of hand-made pasta, because the secret in achieving cooking perfection lies in the ability to roll the pasta evenly, without holes or cuts or difference in thickness.

Legend has it that during the Italian Renaissance, in the year 1487, a talented court chef, inspired by Lucrezia D'Este's hairdo, on the occasion of her marriage to Annibale Bentivoglio, son of Giovanni II, Lord of Bologna created tagliatelle. The recipe was of tagliolini di pasta e sugo, alla maniera di Zafiran (tagliolini of pasta and sauce in the manner of Zafiran) and it was served on silver plates. Over the years, tagliatelle have acquired a much less sophisticated tradition, as tradition wills it to be eaten by simple folk.

Texture and Serving Suggestions

Since tagliatelle are generally made as fresh pasta, the texture is porous and rough, making it ideal for thick sauces such as ragù, generally made with beef, veal, or pork, and occasionally with rabbit.

Tagliatelle in Literature

In Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events,"The Grim Grotto" Count Olaf once threatened the Baudelaire orphans with a Tagliatelle Grande, or really big pasta noodle, that he meant to use as a whip.