World Pasta Day: how pasta travelled from Italy's streets to Indian kitchens, and five popular varieties

Pasta, which began in the streets of Italy, has found a place in kitchens across the world. From children's tiffin boxes to the menus of five-star hotels, it has an identity of its own. World Pasta Day is observed worldwide on October 25 every year. The day is not only for the joy of eating pasta. It is also meant to make people aware of the dish's popularity around the world, its variety and its health benefits.

Pasta is often mistaken for junk food, but that is a mistake. Made with the right ingredients, it can give the body plenty of energy and be nutritious. Pasta culture has also brought together the cuisines of different countries.

World Pasta Day began in 1995. A conference called the World Pasta Congress was held in Rome, Italy, and pasta makers and experts from around the world gathered there. Its main aim was to win official recognition for Italian pasta in the world and to promote its nutritional value.

The World Pasta Organisation (WPO) was formed in 1998. Since then, food festivals, cooking competitions and awareness programmes have been held internationally every year on October 25. On this day well-known chefs come together to create new pasta recipes and talk to pasta lovers through digital media.

Pasta is mostly made from durum wheat, semolina or rice flour. For the health-conscious, pasta made from multigrain, oats, quinoa and millets such as ragi or jowar is also available in the market.

Among the popular types is penne, which is tube-shaped with diagonally cut ends. It goes well with white or red sauce. Fusilli is shaped like a spring or screw and holds sauce well. Spaghetti is long and thin, looks like vermicelli and is considered very traditional in Italy. Macaroni is shaped like a small curved tube and is the most popular in India. Ravioli is made with a filling of vegetables or cheese.

Pasta is generally considered harmful for the body, but according to experts, properly prepared pasta can be quite beneficial for health. It contains complex carbohydrates, which give the body energy slowly and over a long period.

Pasta made from whole wheat or millets is rich in fibre, which improves digestion and helps keep weight in check. Pasta boiled in plain water has almost no fat. If vegetables such as broccoli, capsicum and carrot and olive oil are added, it becomes a complete balanced meal.

When pasta first came to India, it was seen only as Western food. But Indian homemakers and chefs added a tempering of Indian spices and created the new idea of "desi pasta". Masala pasta, made with garam masala, a tomato-onion gravy and green chillies, is now very popular in Indian homes. Wheat pasta, which caters to both children's tastes and nutrition, is now sold in large quantities in the market. In this way, the Italian dish has become part of Indian food.

To mark the day, a healthy new pasta recipe can be made at home with olive oil, tomato puree and fresh vegetables. A pasta party can be held over the weekend with family or friends. Photos of the pasta made can be shared on social media with the hashtag #WorldPastaDay.