Also Known as
Alphabetti Spaghetti, Alfabeto

Description
As the word states, alphabet pasta is nothing but pasta, which is shaped into alphabets either by cutting individually or by using mechanical pressing methods. Made with a base of durum wheat, they are usually catered towards children and parents because of the eye appeal.

How to Select
Purchase from select brands and check for quality if wheat used. The base for pasta is durum wheat. Check the manufacturing and expiry date, packaging etc before purchasing.

How to Store
Store uncooked alphabet pasta in an air tight container in a cool dry place. Cover cooked and cooled alphabet pasta with cling film and store under refrigerated conditions. Use within 48 hours.

Culinary Uses
· It is a fun and convenient way to make your child eat healthy. Combine alphabet pasta with vegetables of your choice and enrich with dairy products like cheese etc to make it a complete and nutritious meal for your child. Children will actually enjoy watching what they eat and learn along the way.
· Combine cooked alphabet pasta along with mashed kidney beans as a base to make Alphabet pasta fagioli (pasta and bean soup).
· Combine cooked and chilled alphabet pasta with dressings of your choice like mayonnaise, vinaigrette, thousand island etc to make assorted pasta salads.

Health Benefits

· Many pasta manufacturers fortify alphabet pasta with added nutrients like folic acid since it is targeted towards children. Folic acid plays an important role in the functioning of the body's central nervous system.
· Anyways, pasta as such is high in complex carbohydrates, which provide timely release of energy.