The etiquette rules on how to serve and eat linguine. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest and avoid any embarrassment.

What linguine etiquette is

Linguine etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat linguine. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect your hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow the etiquette to serve linguine to your guests appropriately.

As a guest, respect the etiquette rules to properly eat linguine at the dining table and avoid offending your hosts or embarrassing yourself.

What you should know about linguine

Linguine is a type of pasta that originated in the Liguria region of Italy.

Linguine is long, thin, and flat, similar to spaghetti but wider. It has a pale yellow color and a smooth texture. When cooked, it has a slightly chewy texture and a mild, nutty flavor.

Etiquette rules to serve and eat linguine

1) How to store linguine

Linguine should be stored in a cool, dry place, ideally at room temperature. If storing in the pantry, keep it in an airtight container to prevent moisture and insect infestation. If storing in the fridge or freezer, make sure it is in a sealed bag or container. Linguine can last for up to two years in the pantry, up to three months in the fridge, and up to six months in the freezer.

Cooked linguine should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two months.

2) How to clean linguine

There is no need to clean linguine.

Linguine can turn bad if it has an unusual odor, a moldy appearance, or if it has been stored improperly for an extended period of time.

3) How to prepare & cook linguine

Linguine should always be cooked before eating. To prepare linguine for cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it is al dente. A colander or slotted spoon can be used to strain the pasta.

Linguine can be prepared in a variety of ways, including with tomato sauce, pesto, or seafood. Some of the most popular Italian dishes include Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clams) or Linguine al Pesto (linguine with basil sauce).

As a type of pasta, linguine is vegan-friendly, but it is not suitable for those following a keto or paleo diet due to its high carbohydrate content. Furthermore, people with gluten intolerance should avoid eating linguine. There are no religious dietary restrictions that forbid eating linguine.

4) How to serve & present linguine

You can serve linguine at both formal and informal meals. It is common to serve them as a main course. In Italian etiquette, it is uncommon to serve them as a side dish or appetizer.

Serve linguine hot, and present them in a shallow bowl or plate. You can use a pasta fork or spoon to serve it. It is polite to present a cheese grater to add Parmesan cheese.

You can serve linguine with a variety of sauces and toppings, including tomato sauce, pesto, seafood, meatballs, or vegetables. Garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese are common seasonings for linguine.

5) Food and wine to pair linguine with

Linguine pairs well with vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, and peas. Fruits are not a typical pairing with linguine.

You can serve linguine with cheese and dairy, including Parmesan cheese, ricotta, and cream sauce. It is best to avoid pairing them with strong cheeses such as blue cheese or goat cheese. Linguine pairs well with a variety of meats and fish, such as sausage, clams, mussels, and shrimp. Meat pairings to avoid include heavy red meats. Furthermore, in Italian etiquette, it is uncommon to pair chicken with pasta.

For red wines, Chianti and Barbera are good options. As for white wines, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio pair well. Avoid pairings with heavy or overly sweet wines. Rosé, sparkling wine, beer, and spirits are not common pairings with linguine.

6) How to eat linguine

The most polite way to eat linguine is to use just a fork. You can also use a spoon, but it is not common in Italian etiquette. It is not polite to eat linguine with your fingers or to slurp loudly.

Linguine etiquette: the worst mistakes

The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors. 

A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. Read more about the Rude Index and its methodology here.  

Avoid the most common linguine etiquette mistakes:

• 7/10. Overcooking linguine to the point of mushiness.
• 6/10. Serving linguine with a heavy sauce that overpowers the delicate flavor of the pasta.

Additional information for properly serving linguine

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and correctly plan a menu.

One serving of linguine contains around 200 calories, while 100 grams of linguine contains around 350 calories. A single linguine strand contains a negligible amount of calories.

How to buy the best linguine

A crucial factor in linguine etiquette is serving your guests the best product possible.

Season and availability 

Linguine is available all year round and there is no specific season to buy it.

Choose the best

Linguine can be found in commerce in various forms, such as fresh, dried, or canned. Dried linguine is the most commonly found type.

The most popular varieties of linguine in commerce include plain, whole wheat, spinach, and squid ink. Plain and whole wheat are the most prized varieties.

To buy the best linguine, look for high-quality durum wheat semolina flour and a uniform texture in the pasta strands. Good quality linguine should also have a slightly rough texture that allows it to hold onto sauces better.

Alternatives to linguine

The most common alternatives to linguine include spaghetti, fettuccine, and angel hair pasta.

Resources

• Pasta structure may influence post-meal blood glucose and insulin response: nutrition.org