Linguine
A flat, elliptical pasta from Genoa, wider than spaghetti.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Linguine (sometimes spelled linguini) is a pasta variety similar to fettuccine and trenette, but with an elliptical cross-section rather than a flat one. It measures about 4 millimeters wide, making it thicker than spaghetti yet thinner than fettuccine. The name comes from the Latin *lingua* ("tongue"), and the Italian *linguine* means "little tongues"; a thinner version is called linguettine. This pasta originated in Genoa, based on older pasta forms.
First documented in the 1700s by Genoese economist and writer Giulio Giacchero, linguine was described as a festive dish for Ligurian families, served with green beans, potatoes, and basil pesto—a Genovese specialty. Liguria is the coastal region of northwest Italy on the Ligurian Sea, centered on the port of Genoa. Basil pesto remains a traditional sauce for linguine, though tomato- or fish-based sauces are also common. In the United States, National Linguine Day is observed on September 15.
Production involves mixing semolina or durum flour with water to form a dough, which is rolled out and cut into flat strands—this flat shape distinguishes linguine from round spaghetti. Historically, pasta-making was done by hand; whole-wheat flour can also be used for whole grain linguine. Dry linguine is cooked in salted, boiling water for 8–10 minutes until al dente, stirred gently to prevent sticking. Its flat surface area helps sauces cling, making it especially popular for seafood dishes, particularly among Neapolitans.
- type
- Pasta
- origin
- Genoa, Italy
- width
- Approximately 4 mm (5⁄32 in)
- first_documented
- 1700s
- traditional_sauce
- Pesto
- thinner_variant
- Linguettine
Lore & Background
Linguine comes from the Latin word lingua, meaning 'tongue'. The modern language closest to Latin is Italian, and the Italian word linguine, plural of the feminine linguina, means 'little tongues'. A thinner version of linguine is called linguettine.
Linguine, a type of flattened spaghetti, was initially documented in the 1700s in Genoa, Italy, by Giulio Giacchero, an economist and writer. Giacchero, author of a book on the economy of Genoa in the 1700s, wrote about linguine served with green beans, potatoes, and a Genovese specialty—basil pesto. He claimed it was the typical festive dish of Ligurian families of the 1700s.
Liguria is the coastal region in far northwest Italy on the Ligurian Sea, dominated by the ancient port of Genoa. Basil pesto is a traditional dish there, and is typically served over linguine.
Reader's Guide
Linguine's significance lies in its role as a traditional pasta of Genoa and the Ligurian region, closely tied to the iconic sauce basil pesto. Documented in the 1700s by economist Giulio Giacchero, it was described as a festive dish for Ligurian families, typically served with green beans, potatoes, and pesto. Its elliptical shape, wider than spaghetti but narrower than fettuccine, provides a flat surface area that clings well to sauces, making it particularly suited for seafood dishes—a preference noted among Neapolitans. The production of linguine involves mixing semolina or durum flour with water, rolling and cutting the dough into flat strands, a process historically done by hand. Today, dry linguine is cooked in salted boiling water for 8–10 minutes until al dente. In the United States, National Linguine Day is observed on 15 September annually, reflecting its cultural reach beyond Italy.
Did You Know?
- Linguine means 'little tongues' in Italian, from the Latin 'lingua'.
- It was first documented in the 1700s by economist Giulio Giacchero in Genoa.
- A thinner version of linguine is called linguettine.
- National Linguine Day in the United States is on 15 September.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Linguine?
Linguine is a pasta character from the Genoa region of Italy, first documented in the 1700s. Its name translates to 'little tongues,' and its cross-section is a small oval rather than a flat ribbon, setting it apart from similar shapes like fettuccine.
What are Linguine's powers/role?
Linguine's signature role is as the traditional bed for pesto sauce, a pairing rooted in its Genoese origins. At roughly 4 mm wide, it occupies the middle ground between spaghetti and fettuccine in width.
How does Linguine's story end?
As a staple of Italian cuisine, Linguine has no single 'ending'—it remains a widely produced and served pasta shape to this day. Its lineage traces back to older, more traditional pasta forms that predate its first written record in the 1700s.
Why is Linguine important?
Linguine matters because its elliptical cross-section gives it a slightly different bite and sauce-gripping ability compared to flat ribbons like trenette or fettuccine. It also anchors the Genoese pasta tradition and has spawned a thinner sibling called linguettine.
What's the difference between Linguine and Linguini?
They refer to the exact same pasta; 'linguini' is simply the anglicized plural form that English speakers commonly use. The Italian singular 'linguine' and the English 'linguini' point to the same 4 mm oval-crossed strand from Genoa.
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