The Pasta Encyclopedia: Spaghetti alla Chitarra
Spaghetti alla Chitarra or “guitar” is named not for the distinctive square-shaped strands of pasta, but the special tool that was traditionally used to make them. It’s essentially a frame strung with steel wires (like guitar strings) spaced closely together. The closer together, the thinner the pasta will be. The pasta dough was pressed through the strings with a special, short rolling pin, and the pasta strands were collected below. This tool and method for making pasta has origins around Italy, but is most associated with the Abruzzo and Molise regions. Today, Barilla’s Spaghetti alla Chitarra is part of the Collezione line of bronze-die pastas, giving it an authentic homemade texture.