Author Topic: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?  (Read 7604 times)

Offline jerjill

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HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« on: December 08, 2009, 02:40:12 am »
Hi there everyone, now i know this has probably already been discussed somewhere in the forum but couldnt seem to find much i have made my first couple lots of batches of pasta and they turned out great i bought a pasta cutter and it works a treat (the kids loved helping) but i am just wondering how can i make a couple of batches and store it? how long does it last? and what about the smaller pastas how can i make them? if anyone has some suggestions can you help me out please thanks

Offline Nay-nay

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2009, 02:54:02 am »
Did you get a pasta machine?

Offline Nay-nay

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2009, 03:00:06 am »
Have you let it dry on a rack? I found this on a search I just did.
 "Store fresh pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days or in the freezer for 1 month."
I'm sure TMXer will know the answer to this you will just have to sit tight and wait til he gets back to you.  ;)

Offline Nay-nay

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2009, 03:04:25 am »
Something to conflict what I have already said!
"Can you keep home made pasta? You can keep uncooked pasta a long time without refrigerating (even longer than a month). Just let the pasta dry out well, rolled very loosely. Then keep them in a large bowl without cover in a dry closet. Take care that the pasta is completely dry before placing it in a bowl. If not, the strips will stick together and you end up with a large unpalatable lump.
When pasta is dried for a longer period, it needs to boil longer, up to several minutes. Just test your pasta while it is boiling."

Offline Thermomixer

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2009, 08:03:35 am »
Thanks Nay-nay - think you have pretty much got it under control.

If you make it fresh and don't dry it then as you said - days in the fridge and longer in the freezer - best to use semolina to keep it separated and help stop it sticking in one big ball. Laying it out flat is good.

You can hang it over clean broom handles - best to buy new ones for the job !!!!  Forty years ago I was introduced to home-made pasta by an Italian neighbour who did just that - made heaps at one time and dried it on broom handles in the laundry.  I had never seen pasta like it - just macaroni and spaghetti. 

You can buy attachments for other food processors to make penne, macaroni etc   This is one reason why I didn't get rid of my KitchenAid http://www.kitchenaid.com/assets/pdfs/product/ZUSECARE/SNFGA_Use%20and%20Care_EN.pdf
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Offline jerjill

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2009, 02:11:54 am »
hi thanks for the tips and i bought a pasta cutter which on does thin and thick pasta and lasange sheets so i am guessin i should have done my research before purchasing it oh well i am sure i will work something out thanks again

Offline andiesenji

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2009, 05:05:40 am »
Rather than broom handles, if you are doing more than just enough for a meal, you can buy a folding clothes dryer (wood) which doesn't take up too much room and does a great job, especially if you are making the broader lasagna strips.

There are wooden pasta racks but they take up room on a counter or table, something that most people do not have.

Once the pasta is entirely dry, the best way to keep it is in a paper bag.  The porous paper allows air circulation and keeps the past free of dust and critters that float around in the air. 


One of my friends, who lives in a restored Victorian house in Pasadena  got one of the clothes drying racks that hung from the ceiling in most Victorian kitchens.  He uses it for drying pasta, noodles, etc.
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Offline Thermomixer

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2009, 12:20:01 pm »
Rather than broom handles, if you are doing more than just enough for a meal, you can buy a folding clothes dryer (wood) which doesn't take up too much room and does a great job, especially if you are making the broader lasagna strips.

There are wooden pasta racks but they take up room on a counter or table, something that most people do not have.

Once the pasta is entirely dry, the best way to keep it is in a paper bag.  The porous paper allows air circulation and keeps the past free of dust and critters that float around in the air. 

One of my friends, who lives in a restored Victorian house in Pasadena  got one of the clothes drying racks that hung from the ceiling in most Victorian kitchens.  He uses it for drying pasta, noodles, etc.

Great tips - haven't seen those racks in ages, but our nieghbours installed one.

jerjill - the pasta roller/cutter you have is great to start out.  It is enough to get you involved and practice rolling and cutting
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Offline Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2009, 12:33:34 pm »
I just give my clothes basket a quick clean and pop it on the end of my kitchen bench with the pasta hanging over it.  I was using my clothes airer for a while but thought the basket would take up less room in the kitchen.  It seems to work just the same as it doesn't touch the basket except for the rim.  :)

Offline faffa_70

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Re: HELP WITH PASTA- HOW DO I STORE IT? HOW DO I MAKE PENNE PASTA?
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2009, 02:34:14 pm »
lol I was just coming to reply that an old Italian lady I know uses a clothes airer and see I am not the only one with the tip!!
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