Vermicelli
Vermicelli is a type of pasta or noodle name used for very thin strands, originally from Italian usage meaning “little worms.” In English, it commonly refers to pasta thinner than spaghetti, but in some cuisines it also refers to rice noodles and other thin noodle varieties.
Vermicelli is a type of pasta or noodle with very thin strands, originally from Italian usage meaning 'little worms.' In English, it commonly refers to pasta thinner than spaghetti, but in some cuisines it also refers to rice noodles and other thin noodle varieties. The term is used differently across regions and food traditions.
Etymology
The name vermicelli comes from Italian and is related to words meaning 'worm,' referring to the noodle’s thin, threadlike shape. Dictionaries and word histories trace it to vermicello and Latin vermis.
Culinary use
Vermicelli is used in soups, pasta dishes, and other preparations where a thin noodle is desired. In some regions it refers specifically to wheat pasta, while elsewhere it may mean rice noodles or other very thin noodles.
Regional differences
The meaning of vermicelli varies by country and cuisine. Traditional Italian vermicelli is thicker than spaghetti, but English-language usage in North America often treats vermicelli as thinner than spaghetti. In Canada, vermicelli is commonly used on packaging and in recipes for thin noodles, especially rice vermicelli in Asian dishes and wheat vermicelli in soups and pastas, reflecting North American English usage. Some British usage also applies the term to chocolate sprinkles.
Related noodle types
The term is sometimes extended to noodles made from rice flour or other starches, including rice vermicelli. These products are distinct from Italian wheat vermicelli even when marketed under the same name.
Key facts
- In English dictionaries, vermicelli is defined as pasta in long, thin strands, generally thinner than spaghetti.
- The word comes from Italian and literally means 'little worms.'
- In Italy, vermicelli is traditionally thicker than spaghetti, while in U.S. usage it is usually thinner than spaghetti.
- The term can also refer to rice vermicelli in Asian cuisines and, in British English, to chocolate sprinkles used for cake decoration.
- Italian vermicelli is typically made from durum wheat semolina.
In Canada, vermicelli is commonly used on packaging and in recipes for thin noodles, especially rice vermicelli in Asian dishes and wheat vermicelli in soups and pastas, reflecting North American English usage.[2][6][9]
Frequently asked questions
What is vermicelli?
What does the word vermicelli mean?
Is vermicelli always made from wheat?
Is vermicelli thinner than spaghetti?
Can vermicelli mean something other than pasta?
References
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vermicelliSupports: English definition of vermicelli as pasta in long solid strings smaller in diameter than spaghetti
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vermicelliSupports: Definition as a type of pasta made in long, thin threads and British sense for chocolate decorations
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VermicelliSupports: Traditional Italian versus English-language thickness distinction and semolina-based pasta
- Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/vermicelliSupports: Definition as pasta like spaghetti but thinner
- Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/vermicelliSupports: Definition, British chocolate-sprinkle sense, and etymology
- The Mediterranean Dish — https://www.themediterraneandish.com/what-is-vermicelli/Supports: Overview of Italian wheat vermicelli, rice vermicelli, and regional variation
- Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/vermicelliSupports: Definition and etymology from Italian and Latin roots
- Allrecipes — https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-vermicelli-7553587Supports: Regional and culinary variations including Italian, rice, and other noodle uses