Egg noodles vs Pasta
The majority of people have a passion for the numerous varieties of pasta, which includes egg noodles, and the traditionally-identified pasta. There are so many varieties, sauces that are used on them, and dishes in which they are prepared, that the thought leaves most our mouths watering. The interesting item is that most people don’t know that there is a difference between these two wonderful foods. This article is going to point out some of the differences between egg noodles and pasta. It will identify the following:
Ingredients
Egg noodles are made of unleavened dough that is cooked in boiling water. Generally, egg noodles are made with eggs and wheat, or rice flour. Sometimes arrowroot or tapioca starches are added to enhance the texture and uniformity of the strands. In most cases, the egg noodle batter is made, and allowed to dry for a period of time, before actually using them to prepare a specific dish.
Pasta is also made of unleavened semolina dough, of either wheat or buckwheat, that is cooked in boiling water, and, in some cases, vegetables are added to the dough.
Shapes
There are many varieties of egg noodles, and the sizes vary from country to country. Egg noodles are typically long flat strips of dough. Generally, the Chinese and Japanese noodles are long, wide, flat strips of dough, where the German variety is shorter, thicker, and much smaller.
Unlike egg noodles that are typically flat, pastas come in various lengths, sizes, and shapes. Many times, pastas are filled with meats, cheeses, and other vegetables, and are generally served with a sauce. Some of the shapes include spaghetti and angel-hair, (long dowel-like rods), macaroni, (which can be in the shape of shells or tubes), lasagna, (which are long, wide sheets), fusilli, (which are twirled and shorter), farfalle, (bow ties), and rigatoni, (which are larger hollow tubes).
Origination
It is generally accepted that egg noodles originated in China, between 25 and 200 AD; although the Arabs and Italians also claim that they invented this wonderful staple food. In October of 2005, at the Lajia site in Qinghai, China, the oldest known strip of egg noodle was discovered. It appeared to be about 4000 years old, and was made of broomcorn and foxtail millet.
As for the origination of pasta, no one has really determined exactly when or who first made this wonderful concoction. The Talmud records a similar food that was common in Palestine during the third century; however, the Greek physician, Galen, identified a comparable material in the second century. Even further back in the first century, Horace described tasty sheets of dough that were fried. As they continue to excavate the ruins in Egypt, they may find evidence that pasta has been around for even longer than what they thought.
Summary:
1. Egg noodles are typically long flat strips of dough, while pasta comes in a variety of shapes.
2. Egg noodles originated in China, while the origin of pasta is not certain.