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Alternative names | Insalata di pasta (in Italian), pasta fredda (in Italian) |
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Type | Pasta |
Course | Antipasto or primo |
Place of origin | Italy |
Main ingredients | Pasta, vinegar or oil or mayonnaise |
Pasta salad, known in Italian as insalata di pasta or pasta fredda, is a dish prepared with one or more types of pasta, almost always chilled or room temperature, and most often tossed in a vinegar, oil or mayonnaise-based dressing. It is typically served as an appetiser (antipasto) or first course ( primo ).
There are various theories about the origin of pasta salad. Claudia Roden claims that Italian Jews prepared it centuries before other Italians because Jewish law prohibits cooking on the sabbath. [1]
The ingredients used vary widely by region, restaurant, seasonal availability, and personal preferences. The dish can be as simple as cold macaroni mixed with mayonnaise (macaroni salad), or as elaborate as several pastas tossed together with a vinaigrette and a variety of fresh, preserved or cooked ingredients. These can include vegetables, legumes, cheeses, nuts, herbs, spices, meats, poultry or seafood. [2]
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