Italy’s Comfort Food
The word “pastina” translates to “very small pasta” in Italian. It is not defined by one specific shape, it simply refers to the size of the noodle. While the dainty star-shaped pastina is a long-cherished and beloved version, there are many more pastinas with equally comforting qualities.
Pastina is an ingredient commonly found in Italian cookbooks and pantries; it’s a favorite pasta to serve children, especially when they are sick, so many Italians have fond childhood memories of it. The small size makes pastina a great base for soups, salads, and dishes that may otherwise use rice.
“Our brains are often drawn to the unique and unusual. “Miniatures—tiny objects—draw our attention because they are extraordinary; the mind knows that the object is highly unusual in size while being familiar in design,” says Carla Marie Manly, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Sonoma County, California. ‘Thus, the mind finds the tiny object appealing—cute and adorable—as it evokes a sense of normalcy and oddity at the same time.'”
This Is Why Tiny Things Make Us So Happy
Welcome to Cuteness Psychology 101.
By Elizabeth Yuko
Recently one national pasta brand stopped making their star-shaped pastina and fans were upset because it was reflective of their cherished childhood memories. But fear not tiny pasta lovers, there is good news: Pastene has plenty of small pastas that will fill the pastina-sized hole in your heart. Like all of our 24 pasta cuts or shapes, our pastinas are made with the finest durum semolina wheat in Gragnano, Italy, the homeland of generations of master pasta-makers. Our pasta is slow-dried to maintain its natural glutens for an al dente texture in every bite.
Try our collection of pastina, which includes:
Italian Farfalline “little butterflies”
Italian Ditali “baby penne”
And, make our traditional Italian Pastina using Farfalline…it’s the perfect meal anytime, anywhere, enjoy!
Try some recipes that use our pastina shapes including Pastene Farfalline Pastina, Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo, Stuffed Peppers, and Pasta e Fagioli. Share your creations with us on social @pasteneUSA, we’d love to see them!
