impastiere

An impastiere is a term used in Italian cuisine to refer to a tool or a person involved in the process of making pasta dough. In its most common usage, impastiere refers to a machine designed for kneading pasta dough. These machines, often found in both domestic and professional kitchens, automate the labor-intensive task of mixing and developing the gluten in flour and water, or flour and eggs. They typically feature a bowl and a hook or paddle that rotates to knead the dough until it reaches the desired consistency. The use of an impastiere can significantly speed up the pasta-making process and ensure a consistent texture.

Alternatively, the term "impastiere" can also be used to describe a person who makes pasta dough. This could be a professional chef, a home cook, or a specialized pasta maker. In this context, the impastiere is someone skilled in the art of combining ingredients and kneading the dough by hand or with the assistance of a machine to achieve the perfect pasta texture. The quality of the resulting pasta is often attributed to the skill and experience of the impastiere. The word itself derives from the Italian verb "impastare," meaning "to knead" or "to mix dough."