Exploring Pasta

Pasta Nutrition
Read through each of the statements below and determine if the information is
TRUE or FALSE and write the correct answer on the line. Correct the false
Statements.

FALSE 1. Pasta is a good source of simple sugars.

False 2. Pasta provides a slow release of energy.
_False_ 3. Pasta has no cholesterol and is low in sodium.
_True 4. Pasta provides up to 65% of daily fiber for each one cup portion.
__TRue__ 5. Pasta is a great source of folic acid for childbearing aged women.
___True____ 6. Folic acid is required by the FDA to be part of grain enriched products.
____True___ 7. Pasta can be part of a balanced diet.
____False___ 8. 25% of daily calories should come from carbohydrates such as pasta.
_____True __ 9. Pasta has a low glycemic index.
__False____ 10. Pasta causes blood glucose levels to rise quickly.

Pasta Ingredients
Identify the three ingredients that make up pasta.

1. Spaghetti, vermicelli (little worms), capellini (tiny hair/angel hair), fedelini

2. Sauce: olive oil-based sauces
3. Fettucini (little ribbons), linguine (little tongues), tagliatelle (like fettuccine), bavette
4. Sauce: butter and cream sauces, alfredo

Cooking Pasta
View the video and answer the following questions about cooking pasta.
Step 1: 4 quarts of water for every pound of pasta

● How do you determine how much water to use when cooking pasta?
The standard method for cooking pasta, found in Italian cookbooks and on pasta packages, is to heat to a
rolling boil 4 to 6 quarts of well-salted water per pound of pasta.

● What happens if you don’t use enough water. The pasta doesn't cook that good.

Step 2: _1 tbsp of salt__

● How much salt should you use and why?

You should use 1 tsbp of salt so the pasta could have flavor

Step 3: _bring water to a boiling water_add pasta to bioling water._____

● Should you break the pasta? You should not break the pasta so the pasta could be cooked and come out
fine.
● Should you add oil to the water? You shouldn't add oil to your pasta cooking water! And that's an order!”
Olive oil is said to prevent the pot from boiling over and prevent the pasta from sticking together

Kim Graybill/FamilyConsumerSciences.com
Step 4: ___________dont add oil_________________________
● Why is step 4 important? So the pasta doesnt stick together.
Step 5: ______________________stir well with tongs _____________
● What does “al dente” mean? It means cooked so as to be still firm when bitten.

Step 6: ____take the pasta out and add fresh basil leaves.________

● Draw and label the kitchen equipment used to complete this step.
You need your hands to put the leafs on top of the pasta
● Should you rinse the pasta? Explain Do not rinse the pasta, though. The starch in the water is what helps
the sauce adhere to your pasta, but rinsing will cool the pasta and prevent absorption of your sauce

Colorful pasta
What ingredient makes pasta green? Steam about 1/2 pound of spinach or swiz chard leaves you need to
remove the stems until they are soft and bright green. Puree in a food processor until smooth and press out as
much extra liquid as possible before mixing with the eggs.

What ingredient makes pasta red? cook two small or one large beet in aluminum foil in a 375° oven until very
soft. Peel and puree in a food processor.

What ingredient makes pasta black? Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of squid ink to the eggs before mixing. Squid ink is
available online and in many gourmet food stores.

What ingredient makes pasta yellow? Add a 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of ground saffron or ground turmeric to the
eggs before mixing.