Dried pasta has been part of the heart-healthy Mediterranean Diet since ancient Greece and comes in hundreds of shapes and sizes. While many pasta forms transcend cultures, others have been adapted for regional specialties. Melissa #5 Pasta is a bit thicker than traditional spaghetti, and a wonderfully versatile noodle. #5 Pasta is a classic component of Chicken Kokkinisto: chicken braised in tomato sauce, seasoned with garlic, onions, white wine and cinnamon. #5 Pasta is also the spaghetti of choice for “Makaronia me Kima”, a Greek version of Italian Bolognese – often seasoned with cinnamon, allspice and cloves. In Greece, this hearty sauce is classically spooned over cooked pasta and topped with Mizithra, Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese. For an elegant vegetarian main dish, serve our spaghetti al dente with olive oil, sautéed garlic, morel mushrooms, peas and grated parmesan cheese. Or try it with Italian sausage and broccoli rabe sautéed in olive oil and red pepper flakes (optional). Once you start working with Melissa #5 pasta, you will find it pairs beautifully with almost all manner of sauce.