Perhaps one of the most basic pasta shapes, fedelini is a long, thin pasta that is reminiscent of spaghetti or angel hair pasta.
Fedelini pasta may look a lot like spaghetti, but they are slightly longer and a lot thinner. It originated in the Italian region of Liguria, a place known for other pasta shapes such as ravioli and trenette. Fedelini’s size and shape may look basic, but this actually makes it extremely versatile.
In this article, we’ll talk about fedelini pasta and even drop some recipes you can try on your next adventure in the kitchen.
Fedelini: Origin and Meaning
Here’s a table with essential facts about Fedelini:
| Pasta Shape: | Fedelini |
| Pasta Type: | Thin pasta |
| Origin: | Liguria, Italy |
| Meaning: | Italian term for “Little Faithful Ones” |
| Similar Shapes: | Angel hair, vermicelli, capellini, spaghetti |
Where Did Fedelini Originate?
Fedelini pasta was born in Liguria, a region in northwestern Italy, at the beginning of the 14th century. These long, thin strands of pasta are not commonly seen outside of Italy as most recipes often call for similarly thin pasta such as angel hair or even vermicelli.
Although not widely available around the globe, there are still some companies that produce and distribute fedelini pasta in Italy.
What Does Fedelini Mean?
The word “fedelini” means “little faithful ones.” What does that have to do with the pasta shape? We don’t know either. But it sure is unique!
What Is the Difference Between Fedelini and Spaghetti?
Fedelini and spaghetti both share similar characteristics, such as their length and thickness. Despite looking almost identical, the key difference between these two pasta shapes is simple: fedelini is thinner and longer than spaghetti.
Since fedelini is long and thin, it mostly pairs well with sauces that are thin as well. An example of this may be a simple marinara sauce or thin pesto sauce. Spaghetti, on the other hand, works best with meatier or chunkier sauces.
Traditional Dishes Suitable for Fedelini Pasta
Here are some traditional dishes you can make with fedelini pasta:
Fedelini al Pomodoro
This simple and straightforward meal can be made with just five ingredients: tomato pasta sauce, olive oil, parmesan cheese, basil, and of course, fedelini pasta. Keeping the recipe simple ensures all ingredients shine in their own little ways.
Fedelini Pasta with Butter Sauce
Tossing some fedelini with a thin, buttery, cheesy sauce is another good way to prepare this pasta. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can even add some chickpeas into the mix!
Final Thoughts
Fedelini pasta is one of Liguria’s best kept secrets. Thanks to its long and thin shape, it acts as the perfect vessel for thin sauces to shine. Because it can be a little challenging to find outside of Italy, you can try similarly shaped pastas such as angel hair or even vermicelli.