Lasagna is one of the oldest forms of pasta recorded. It probably corresponds to the Latin "Lagana" (which in turn was derived from the Greek "laganon": large, flat sheet of pasta cut into strips) and it began to be known as "Lasagna" probably after the year 1000 AD. The first traces of the widespread use of the term "Lasagna" can be found in the works of the most renowned 12th century Italian poets. "Granel di pepe vince / per virtù la lasagna", (a peppercorn beats lasagna for virtue) states Jacopone da Todi. Cecco Angiolieri,on the other hand, warns his readers, "chi de l'altrui farina fa lasagne / il su' castello non ha ne muro ne fosso" (He who makes lasagna with another's flour / his castle will have no walls or moat).
It has long been one of the most well-known and popular types of pasta in Italian cooking, and the simplest and most commonly used recipe calls for a ragù, béchamel and parmesan, although mozzarella has also been introduced more recently.
Delicious "white" versions are also quite commonplace with sauces made from mushrooms and vegetables.
Available in 500g packs
Garganelli, whose name is reminiscent of a chicken's oesophagus which in the dialect of Emilia Romagna is called "garganel", are short, ridged, pointed maccherone with the ends cut on a diagonal. This is done with a tool called a comb, similar to a loom, with two parallel pieces of wood joined by thin strips of reed.
The typical ridges are traditionally obtained by passing the outer surface of the pasta over a loom made of reeds called a "comb".
The best way to enjoy this type of pasta is to serve it with a tasty hare sauce or with a "guazzetto", a stew made from diced bacon and peas.
Available in 250g packs