Hands-On Pasta Making Class in Trastevere

The craft of fresh egg pasta

Fresh egg pasta begins as a simple dough: flour, eggs, and sometimes a little oil or salt. Traditionally the flour is piled on a wooden board, a well is made in the centre, and the eggs are broken into it and drawn in with a fork before the dough is kneaded by hand. After resting, it is rolled into a thin sheet, the sfoglia, with a long rolling pin called a mattarello. Italian soft wheat flour is graded by fineness, and the fine “00” grade is the one most associated with silky egg pasta.

The quality of a hand-rolled sheet shows in three things: even thickness, a slightly rough surface that sauce can cling to, and a springy bite once cooked.

Shapes made from a sheet of dough

Once the sfoglia is rolled, it can be turned into a whole family of shapes. Some of the classics are:

• Tagliatelle and fettuccine, ribbons cut by folding the sheet and slicing it. Fettuccine is the ribbon most associated with Rome.
• Pappardelle, wider ribbons that suit rich, slow-cooked sauces.
• Filled shapes such as ravioli, where two sheets enclose a filling of ricotta, spinach or meat.
• Maltagliati, irregular “badly cut” pieces made from offcuts, often added to soups.

Fresh versus dried pasta

Fresh pasta is not simply better than dried; it is different. Dried pasta is usually made from durum wheat semolina and water and suits olive-oil and tomato sauces, while egg pasta is softer and richer and suits butter, ragù and delicate fillings. Fresh pasta also cooks far faster, so the sauce should be ready before the water boils. Roman cooking uses both, and many classic dishes call specifically for one or the other.

Tips for approaching a hands-on session

Rolling pasta rewards a relaxed hand. Avoid pressing too hard at the edges, dust the dough lightly rather than heavily, and let the dough rest when it springs back. Notice how the texture changes as it is worked: a dry, crumbly start becomes smooth and elastic within minutes of kneading. A little flour on clothes is part of the process, so wear something you do not mind dusting.

Exploring Trastevere on foot

After any activity here, the neighbourhood is made for wandering. Landmarks worth seeking out include:

• The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, known for its glittering medieval mosaics.
• Villa Farnesina, a Renaissance villa with frescoes associated with Raphael.
• The Janiculum hill, a gentle climb that opens a wide view over the rooftops of Rome.
• Ponte Sisto, the pedestrian bridge that connects the neighbourhood to Campo de’ Fiori.