Definition

Noun: 1. A type of pasta formed into a shape resembling a bow tie or butterfly, characterized by being pinched in the middle with scalloped edges.

Usage

• "Farfalle" is an uncountable noun when referring to the food substance in general (e.g., "I bought some farfalle"). It can be used as a countable noun in the plural form when referring to individual pieces (e.g., "Several farfalle were left in the pot").
• It is commonly used with sauces that cling well to its shape, such as cream-based, pesto, or chunky vegetable sauces.

Examples

• "For dinner, we had with a creamy mushroom sauce."
• "The recipe calls for 500 grams of dried ."
• "These hold the pesto perfectly in their ridges."

Advanced Usage

• "Farfalle pasta": This is a common, though technically redundant, phrasing used for clarity, as "farfalle" itself means a type of pasta.
  • The "farfalle pasta" section is on aisle three.

Variants and Related Words

• Bow-tie pasta: The common English name for this pasta shape.
• Farfalle rigate: A specific variety of farfalle with ridges ("rigate") on the surface, which helps sauces adhere better.

Synonyms

• Bow-tie pasta

Notes on Meaning

• The word "farfalle" is Italian for "butterflies," which is the inspiration for the pasta's shape. In English, it is used as a loanword to specifically denote this pasta variety.

Noun

1. pasta shaped with scalloped edges and pinched in the middle, suggestive of a bow tie