The mattarello is a traditional Italian rolling pin used to roll out sheets of pasta. A sheet of pasta is also known as a sfoglia in Italy. In traditional Italian pasta making, no pasta machines are used to roll out the pasta dough. Rolling the sheet of pasta (or sfoglia) must be done by hand. This method is still greatly respected and used in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Emilia-Romagna is undoubtedly where some of the world's greatest pasta is made. Hand rolled pasta creates an unmistakable texture both in the bite and on the surface of the noodles. This texture grabs the sauce more efficiently and enhances the flavor in the pasta dish. If you are serious about making pasta, it may be time to grab a mattarello and get rolling!
