# Why spaghetti? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 28, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945 "2009-05-28T17:09:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tiltypig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@tiltypig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiltypig)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/21 "2009-05-28T22:16:52Z")
1. the mouthfeel of spaghetti is much more satisfying to me, due to the length of the strands. Sort of like the reason those baked “healthy” ramens/cup o’ noodles at the health food store don’t compare to the real deal: they’re usually a bunch of little inch-long noodle pieces floating in broth, rather than the ultra-long, curly ramen noodles I crave. 2. as has been mentioned: Italians do not eat spaghetti with a spoon. I always eat it with just a fork. 3. yes! seashell pasta sucks for tomato or cream-based sauces. that watery thing is very annoying. 4. here is an interesting [link about designer pasta shapes](http://www.quickswood.com/my_weblog/2007/01/designers_pasta.html) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/22 "2009-05-28T22:37:32Z")
Wait, y’all eat spaghetti with utensils? I’m _totally_ going to have to give that a try. ---
**Author:** ![vifslan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f4b2a3/32.png) [@vifslan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vifslan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/23 "2009-05-28T23:58:35Z")
Well, supposing I remember it correctly, this quote from Strong Poison wouldn’t look as good. “Ain’t an archive box in the country I couldn’t open blindfolded, in boxing gloves and with a strand of cooked spaghetti.” How would you fit penne or conchiglie into the locks, for starters? I’m going to be boring now and suggest that spaghetti won out because of logistics. Look at the same weight of spaghetti, penne, and, say, tagliatelle, and then decide which one you’d rather package and ship for an international market. I’m usually for penne, but the shape doesn’t do much for one of my favourite Naked Chef recipes (mozzarella in chunks, cherry tomatoes in halves, fresh garlic and basil, and enouch olive oil to bind it together, plus loads of hot spaghetti.) Also, puttanesca or arrabbiata sauce would cling too much to the penne instead of just enough. Now off to TV Tropes to find out how many offenders have imitated the spaghetti and meatballs scene. I’m tying this cooked spaghetti strand around my wrist, and if I’m not back in two hours, someone pull me back. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/24 "2009-05-29T00:25:55Z")
Because spaghetti is how it grows, off the spaghetti trees. When it’s still young it can be picked and rolled into different shapes…well, that’s what my grandpa told me when I was little! Now, wagon wheel shapes- why were those invented? All those cute little wheels break into shattered mush when I pour them into a colander. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/25 "2009-05-29T02:02:41Z")
I also much prefer spaghetti. Something about the texture just feels right to me. I can’t really explain it, and I feel like I ought to appreciate other pasta shapes more, but I don’t. My only homemade pasta recipe, Fettucine al Bubba: Cook yer fettucine in salted water, and drain. Meanwhile, cook a couple slices of country ham. Cut it into little pieces. In the same pan, heat some butter and some heavy cream and some salt and some pepper. When it’s thickened a bit, add some cooked asparagus and the country ham. Toss with the noodles. I made this after I bought country ham and decided it was way too pungent for normal eating, and we had leftover asparagus. It was freakin’ delicious. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/26 "2009-05-29T02:25:07Z")
I’m with **twickster**. I prefer rigatoni over spaghetti. ---
**Author:** ![hroark2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hroark2112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hroark2112)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/27 "2009-05-29T03:29:38Z")
> [@Hockey\_Monkey](#): > > You can’t say that kind of stuff around here without producing either a recipe or an invite. 😃 (Either works for me). 😉 Unfortunately, it normally removes the panties of any woman who comes over to enjoy it for dinner, and we can’t have that now, can we 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/28 "2009-05-29T03:41:52Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Penne rocks. It’s fun food, and the hollow center means the sauce gets all up in there with the flavor. Am I the only one who eats Penne by catching it on those small skinny pretzel sticks? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/29 "2009-05-29T04:12:09Z")
> [@Heropsychodreamer](#): > > So how many spaghetti eaters eat it the proper way: with a fork and spoon? This. If you use a spoon to cup the end of your fork, eating spaghetti is quite easy. ---
**Author:** ![maplekiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maplekiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maplekiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/30 "2009-05-29T04:24:35Z")
I like fettucini to eat. But I remember with fondness spaghetti meals from my childhood. Food thats fun is a good way to get young kids to eat. \*\*Originally Posted by Thudlow Boink The question I’ve always had is, Why tacos?\*\* Totally agree. We always have nachos now. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/31 "2009-05-29T11:50:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Spaghetti all the way. I dislike penne intensely for some reason. I feel the same way! I love (thin) spag and even angel hair and really don’t like penne. I like spag because I like more sauce, less pasta ratio in each bite and most cut pastas are just too thick. My favorite cut pastas are shells, elbows and rotini. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/32 "2009-05-29T12:00:23Z")
I’ll go with angel hair in public, but NEVER spaghetti. It’s a mess. I’m a rigatoni/penne kinda gal, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silence_of_the_clams)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/33 "2009-05-29T12:01:05Z")
Its the slurping sensation that is unbeatable with spaghetti - however, you need to be dressed in a lab-coat and protective gogles with all the sauce flying around… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/34 "2009-05-29T12:18:23Z")
It occurs to me that my fondness for rotini may have something to do with the fact that I live alone. Since I live alone, I almost never sit down at a table to eat – I generally hold the plate or bowl in one hand and the fork in the other and continue doing whatever I’m doing (computering, reading, watching TV). Thus my preference for pastas that can be eaten without a whole additional set of flourishes or manipulations. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/35 "2009-05-29T18:12:24Z")
Has anyone else discovered the joy that is [spaghetti rigatte](http://www.barillaus.com/Home/Pages/Spaghetti_Rigati.aspx)? ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/36 "2009-05-29T19:05:20Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Has anyone else discovered the joy that is [spaghetti rigatte](http://www.barillaus.com/Home/Pages/Spaghetti_Rigati.aspx)? I’ve had it, but my local supermarket either doesn’t stock it very often, or it sells like crazy. All the great mouthfeel of spaghetti, with the sauce-holding-ridges of penne. I use it for oil-based sauces, and regular spaghetti for tomato-based sauces. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/37 "2009-05-29T19:15:08Z")
My favorite is rotini, but when I do make long pastas, I break it up into manageable lengths before cooking it. And in a restaurant, I would be an embarrassment and cut the pasta up before eating it. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/38 "2009-05-29T19:22:46Z")
I’ve never thought of spaghetti or linguine as difficult to eat. I make _far_ more of a mess eating anything that needs to come out of its shell first - steamed shrimp, lobster, crab legs, etc. I’ve been known to get food on the ceiling then. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/39 "2009-05-29T19:34:47Z")
> [@Kotick](#): > > Its the slurping sensation that is unbeatable with spaghetti - however, you need to be dressed in a lab-coat and protective gogles with all the sauce flying around… I’ll second this. The slurping up part is like being a kid again. It’s fun. Also who uses lab coats? We just bust out an empty kiddie pool for each person, put on our bathing suits, get in and bingo no messy clean up. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945/40 "2009-05-29T20:52:52Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > it’s a complete PITA to eat. See, I kind of think the “twirl it around your fork” thing is fun. To me, that’s the one real benefit of spaghetti over, say, penne. (That and the fact that you won’t be laughed at by Italians for mistakenly pronouncing only one of the n’s.) However, I wouldn’t order spaghetti at a business dinner (or, back in my single days, on a date), because it is more awkward to eat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-spaghetti/497945.md?page=3)