Making pasta at home is fun. You can choose your shapes. You can choose your flavors. But after you make your pasta, you need to dry it. Many people use racks. But not everyone has a rack. Don’t worry! You can dry pasta without a rack.
Why Dry Pasta?
Drying pasta helps it last longer. Wet pasta can spoil fast. Dry pasta can stay fresh for months. Dry pasta is easier to store. It does not stick together.
What You Need
First, gather your tools. You need a clean towel. You need some flour. You need space to spread your pasta. You need patience.
Steps to Dry Pasta
Follow these steps:
- Make your pasta dough.
- Roll out the dough.
- Cut the dough into shapes.
- Sprinkle flour on a towel.
- Lay pasta on the towel.
- Make sure pasta does not touch.
- Wait for pasta to dry.
Rolling Out The Dough
Roll the dough thin. Thin pasta dries faster. Use a rolling pin if you have one. If not, use a bottle. Make sure the surface is clean.
Cutting The Shapes
You can cut pasta in many shapes. Long noodles are easy to make. Short shapes are fun. Use a knife. Use a pizza cutter. Be careful.
Using The Towel
Spread a clean towel on a table. Sprinkle flour on the towel. Flour keeps pasta from sticking. Lay pasta pieces on the towel. Keep space between them.
Waiting For Drying
Let pasta dry for 24 hours. Check it after 12 hours. It should be hard. If not, wait more. Dry pasta is hard to touch.
Tips for Drying Pasta
Here are some tips:
- Use more flour if pasta sticks.
- Turn pasta over after 6 hours.
- Keep pasta away from sunlight.
- Do not use a fan. Air can move pasta.
- Keep pasta dry in a cool room.
Storing Dry Pasta
Store pasta in a sealed container. Use a glass jar. Use a plastic bag. Make sure it is airtight. Keep it in a dark place. Dry pasta lasts for months.
Cooking Dry Pasta
Cooking dry pasta is easy. Boil water in a pot. Add salt. Put pasta in water. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain water. Serve with sauce.