Living off grid, we try to not use electric appliances, especially when there are wonderful old fashioned tools that work flawlessly. If you'd like an affordable and quick way to cut pasta, you might enjoy using an Italian Chitarra (pronounced: key-tahr-rah). It looks a little bit like a double sided harp but instead of making music, you make pasta.

It was created in Italy in the 1800’s. The Chitarra has 30 strings on one side (for thicker noodles) and 50 on the other for a finer spaghetti style pasta. The centre of the device has a slanted board to allow the cut pasta to slide off easily once it’s been cut by the strings.

To use the chitarra

Roll your dough out evenly, get it nice and thin. Always keep in mind that the dough will expand when you cook it.

Lay the dough on top of the chitarra

Use a rolling pin, flattening and pressing the dough through the wires

Once you cut your pasta toss it in some flour to prevent it from clumping together or use a coat hanger or wooden dowel to hang it.

Cook your pasta and enjoy!