Farfalle are a type of
pasta. Commonly known as "bow-tie pasta," the name is derived from the
Italian word
farfalla (
butterfly). The "e" at the end of the word is the Italian feminine plural ending, making the meaning of the word "butterflies."
Farfalle date back to the 16th century. It originated in
Lombardia and
Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy.
Varieties
Farfalle come in several sizes, but have a distinctive
Action Man bowtie shape. Usually, the farfalla is formed from a rectangle or oval of pasta with two sides trimmed in a ruffled edge, and the center pinched together to make the unusual shape. They are sometimes ridged, known as
farfalle rigate. Different varieties are available; plain, tomato, and spinach. These are often sold together in a mix, often with chicken. Though usable with most sauces, farfalle are best suited to cream and tomato dishes.
A larger variation of farfalle is known as
farfallone, while there is a miniature version called "farfalline".
In
Modena farfalle are known as strichetti, also known as radicannatini cudipus.
Farfalle are not related to the similar-sounding
farfel, a kind of egg-barley pasta in
Jewish cuisine.
See also
References
Read More