http://www.democraticunderground.com/11576138Oh my.
NNN0LHI (64,458 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
Ever notice fresh pasta tastes really good while old pasta tastes really bad?
Went through this nightmare for a couple of weeks in a row. First time I concluded it was some spaghetti sauce my wife made. So I started with some fresh bought sauce the following week. Same thing. So I concluded it must be the meatballs she made so next time no meatballs with fresh sauce. Same taste.
But at least now I had it narrowed down to the pasta. It was on sale so I loaded up on it a few months ago. Big mistake.
Learned to purchase pasta as it is needed. And not to take it out of the packaging it came in and put it in a plastic bag or plastic container either because that will just speed up the process of ruining it. It needs to breath.
And I have since learned that it won't hurt you when it gets this funny taste. You can still eat it in a pinch. But the taste of fresh pasta is much better. Took me three weeks to get a decent tasting bowl of spaghetti.
Don
Edited to add it won't cook right when it gets old like this either.
franksolich stores his pasta in the freezer of the refrigerator.
It lasts for years that way.
HappyMe (2,937 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
1. You are talking about boxed pasta, yes?
Check expiration dates. That way if it's getting close you will know to buy less.
NNN0LHI (64,458 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
2. Yes it was
The problem was my wife took it out of the boxes and put it all into one of those tall, clear, decorative spaghetti holders so we had no idea exactly how old it was.
I asked her not to do that anymore.
Don
EFerrari (160,061 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
3. Old pasta goes from being undercooked to being overcooked without ever passing through "just right". I hate that.
blaze (1,904 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
4. I didn't konw that pasta got old.
I learn so much here!
It doesn't get old if one keeps it in the freezer.
pinto (92,071 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
5. I keep my pasta in the freezer, tightly sealed. Seems to stay better.
Wow. Talk about coincidence, or timing, or something.
(As most here know, I read campfires as I copy-and-paste them; I don't read them first and then copy them.)
The defrocked warped primitive, she with the face like Hindenberg's:
Warpy (62,306 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
6. Pasta doesn't get old so much as it goes rancid even if the egg that is in it is powdered egg. The oils still react with oxygen and turn themselves into something very nasty. I can tell when I open the package if that pasta has sat on the shelf a little too long. Feh.
Paper Roses (4,379 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore
7. Never had the problem you are talking about.
I have long since given up making my own pasta. The work involved does not compensate for he fact that I can buy good pasta at the store.
I wonder if many of you are just overcooking the store bought brand.
I buy Barilla or one of the upper level pasta's.
Sometimes the miniscule amount of difference is not worth the time and effort to make your own.
Got an Italian market handy? They usually stock the best.