Reginette and Mafaldine

This charming pasta was created to celebrate the birth of Princess Mafalda, born in 1902 to Vittorio Emanuele III, the last King of Italy. Indeed, their two most common names refer to her – reginette means ‘little queens’, and mafaldine ‘little Mafaldas’. Made from semola, these are a thoroughly southern pasta (the King had, after all, been born in Naples). With their ruffled edges, like narrow lasagne ricce, they are a joyous sight – there is something intrinsically celebratory about them.