There is a popular story which says that Marco Polo brought pasta back to Italy after his travels to China and that he was the one to introduce pasta to the Italians. Unfortunately, there is probably not much truth to the story. The first recorded mention of pasta in Italy predates Marco Polo's return from China. What then were the origins of this popular Italian staple?
An internet rumor claims that pasta was invented by the Ancient Romans or Greeks. It supposedly cites myths about the Roman god Vulcan as proof. Unfortunately, whoever came up with this "theory" is either unaware of the facts or intentionally deceiving the gullible masses. Neither Greek nor Roman myths mention Vulcan in connection with any pasta-like food. Nevertheless, the Greeks did invent a type of broad noodle called "laganon." Unlike modern pasta, however, laganon was roasted instead of boiled. Thus, it was more like pizza than pasta.
Another unsupported claim about the origins of pasta attribute it to the Ancient Etruscans. Supposedly, archaeological evidence consisting of carvings in Etruscan tombs, show pasta being made. Unfortunately, there is no solid evidence to indicate that the carvings indeed show pasta being made. The tools and materials in the carvings such as bags of flour, knives, flat boards, and iron pins have numerous uses. There is no reason to believe that these tools were used to make pasta.
The first recorded mention of boiled noodles dates from the 5th century AD when used to refer to an Arab food called "itriyah." Itriyah was a type of dried noodle sold by vendors. Unlike fresh noodles which had to be eaten soon, dried noodles were good for traveling because they could be carried for long distances without spoiling. It is likely that it was the Arabs who introduced pasta to Italy when they occupied Sicily during the Early Middle Ages. They probably did not put sauce on their noodles, however, so the Italians themselves probably invented the array of sauces that we eat on pasta today.
It is important to realize that although pasta became a staple in Italy fairly quickly, it was not until the mid 19th century that Italians began using tomatoes in their cooking. It seems almost impossible for the modern mind to divorce the tomato from pasta, but the two have not always complimented each other the way they do today. The tomato is a new world crop, so it was not until the discovery of America that the Italians could have used the tomato in their cooking. Even after Europeans began importing tomatoes, it took many years for tomatoes to become popular in Italian cooking. Until then, many people often ate pasta dry with their hands. Until the invention of pasta sauce, there was little need for forks.
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