FUSILLI

Fusilli, together with spaghetti, are probably among the oldest pasta shapes. Originating from Southern Italy, they certainly had an Arab influence. In fact, fusilli were called "busiata" in Sicily and "busa" in Sardinia, from "bus" which in Arabic means "cane", or the tool that these Middle Eastern peoples used to produce them.

The name "fusillo" however is typical Neapolitan and derives from the term "fuso", the iron with a square section used for the production of this type of pasta, very similar to the spindles used by spinning machines for weaving.