Italy: a population of 60.36 million people, 83% of which is Catholic.
The Pope resides in the Vatican, a city-state located in Rome, 97% of the population has been Christened, 7 out of 12 National holidays have roots in the Catholic Church. So it is clear that Catholicism is part of the Italian society, people embrace the principles of this religion, and priests have a central role for the communities.
This is true as of today, in 2020. If we take a couple of steps back, let’s say of about 200 years, the story is a little bit different.
At that time, the clergy were considered greedy and heartless, avid of food and money, at the expenses of the population that was, well, let’s say quite unhappy about it. So unhappy that they created a pasta called “Strozzapreti”, which translates as “priest stranglers” or “priest chokers” – talking about giving subtle messages there. There are several theories behind the name of this pasta shape:
1.This pasta originated in Emilia-Romagna, where the azdore (housewives in the dialect of this region) used to do all the cooking. It is believed that the original recipe included eggs in the dough, but the priests started to take them from the families, along with food and money. The azdore started to make this pasta with the only ingredients they had available, flour and water, but the rage for what the priests were doing was so much that they started strangling the pasta, as if it was the neck of the priest, creating this peculiar pasta shape.
2.The second theory is that the priests were so greedy that they would eat this pasta so quick that they would choke with it.
3.Another story is that the that the pasta was a partial payment that people made to the Church for the rent of the land. Whenever the wives made pasta for the priests, their husbands would be so angry to wish the priests would choke with it.
4.The bloodiest version of this story, is that strozzapreti resemble shoestrings, that were used to strangle priests during the worst times of the domination of the Papal State in Italy.
5.The final story is that priests, after mass, used to go visit the people in the village, and often they would have dinner with them. When the food offered to the priest was particularly good, he used to come visit the families more and more often. When they really had enough of him, they offered this pasta, that then earned the name of strozzapreti, to the priest, to make him aware he wasn’t welcome anymore.
Pasta: a lovely food, a crowd pleaser, but also a political statement.
Today, strozzapreti pasta is eaten everywhere in Italy, people don’t give it a particular meaning and the name behind it is more of a curiosity or a fun fact.
Recipe for 4 people
Ingredients:
-semolina flour, 400g
-warm water, 200g
-pinch of salt
Steps
1.Mix together the ingredients and knead for 10 minutes
2.When you have a smooth dough, give it a ball shape and cover it with cling film. Leave it to rest for 30 minutes
3.Take 1/4 of the dough, (leave the rest covered) and flatten it with a rolling pin until it is 2/3 mm
4.Cut the flattened dough in stripes 2/3 cm wide, place the strip between the palms of your hands, and start rubbing it into a tube shape. Once you have shaped the top of the strip, tear it off and continue rolling the rest of the strip, like in the video below
5.Repeat the same operations for the rest of the dough, 1/4 at the time
6.Leave it to dry for 1 hour, and then cook it in boiling water for 3/4 minutes
Usually they are eaten with ragù, but this time I made 2 vegan variations:


Ah, so the Italian “cold shoulder” then 🙂
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not a very subtle message! haha
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I read the title and I just knew I would love the stories behind this dish! It looks so delicious- especially the broccoli one that one really made my mouth water!
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thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the story 🙂 I love the combination of garlic, broccoli and chilli!
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You’re welcome! Yes, I always love that combo even with other types of pasta!
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Nothing says murder and mayhem like a good pasta! I love the back stories for this seemingly innocent looking meal.
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ahah thank you so much! surely it is a good conversation starter “do you know that this pasta is related to strangling people??”
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Davvero interessanti le storie e golosa la pasta…brava!
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Grazie mille!!
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You make it look so easy! Great video!
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thank you so much!
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I’ve read about it too, but you have more details here, thanks! Very nice the pasta!
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thank you so much! it is such a fascinating story!
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Yes it is!
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Thankyou for these fascinating facts. Also wasn’t aware that Italy had such a high catholic population.
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thank you for reading! in the last few years, the number of religious weddings has dropped, for the first time last year civil ceremonies were more than religious ones, and considering our history, it is quite a big deal!
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Looks very tasty. I remember Bourdain’s episode on Emilia Romagna – heavenly. Thank you for the pasta history. I imagine the dish was super helpful before. Wonder what they use now to serve unwelcome guests. Haha!
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surely it wasnt a very subtle message ahaha! In modern times no threats with pasta, I promise!Bourdain is one of the reason I fell in love with food, reading his name made me smile 🙂
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I’m 100% Italian American, and have been to Italy, but haven’t heard of this pasta! What a wonderful story. As soon as it gets a bit cooler and I go back to making homemade pasta with my grandkids, I’m going to try it!
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thank you for reading, I am glad I helped you finding out about it! I am sure your grandkids will love to make it!!
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I love the idea of pasta as a political statement. Fascinating history, thanks for sharing!
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thank you so much for reading! I am glad you enjoyed the story! 🙂
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Hi! I didn’t know how to Notify You – But All I wanted to say is that I Nominated You for the Liebster Award and I really hope you Respond!
Hope you are Doing Well!
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Is there a pasta for strngaling your neighbor? If not, there should be. Our (summer) neighbors come here behaving as if they own the whole 10-aparment complex. I cannot for the life of me understand how a mother can say to her daughter sei una cagna in calore!
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sorry to hear that! it must be awful to hear these things while you are trying to relax!
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I feel for the daughter who is so not the recipient of responsible parenting. 😦
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oops…I believe I ‘strangled’ the word strangling!
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It’s fun to read about the history and traditions of strozzapreti.
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thank you so much! 🙂
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I always loved strozzapreti but I never knew the stories behind their shape 🤪 Thank you 😉
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thank you so much! 🙂
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Love this. Thanks for sharing. I bet that fresh pasta just melts in your mouth it is so tender looking. Yummy 😋
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thank you so much! it is delicious, I love it!!
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What an awesome story! Thank you so much for sharing. Are these recipes and stories passed down thru your family or is this a passion you research? Regardless, I always look forward to what you have to share. ❤️
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thank you so much! we all love good food in my family, we are so passionate about traditional dishes! I love to do a little bit of research to find out more about the traditions and stories, I find it super relaxing!
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Your blog is a joy! 🌞
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you just made my day, thank you so much!
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It’s true, I look forward to your posts. thank you!
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I love pasta! I love Italy! Yummy!
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ahahah same here!thank you for reading!
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Wow 😅
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thank you!
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Pleasure 😊
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Great video 👏👏
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thank you so much! 🙂
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Not Italian but I am Roman Catholic love pasta and thought this was very interesting.
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thank you so much for reading! I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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Love your blog and all your post! happy to be connected.
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thank you so much! your blog is lovely as well!
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Very interesting blog format. Thanks for the recipe and story about this pasta. I’m tired of my old recipes, I want new ideas. Your recipe is great.
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Thank you so much for reading! Let me know if you try this recipe! 🙂
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Talk about “dinner conversation”. You nailed it! 💥
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thank you so much!
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Aaah….The story, the recipe, the short video and your way of writing is so fun-filled. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
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awww thank you so much, it means a lot! and thanks for reading!
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What an interesting story of this pasta! You’re a brilliant storyteller! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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thank you so much! 🙂
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😂😂😂
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Hi dear Parmiggiana,
I loved the story behind this dish! Thanks for sharing it!
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thank you so much for reading! 🙂
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We did it! Little one and I made this last night. Came with bolognese and was really, really nice. It tastes so different from regular pasta. Next time we’ll make sure the dough is evenly rolled out 😉 Thank you for the inspiration. We’ll keep doign this!
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