Slate's Julia Turner joins me to discuss the merits of short vs. long pastas, including advantages of flat long pastas over round long ones and the true meaning of al dente. Plus we debate which shapes should be eliminated. (Spoiler alert: The wagon wheel has got to go.)

We also cover the best ways to get different shapes into your mouth, including the controversial question of whether short pastas are better eaten with a spoon.

And in this show, I announced a contest! Sign up for The Sporkful mailing list (in the right hand column of this page), and you'll be automatically entered to win five boxes of monster cereals--Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Franken Berry, Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy--which are now unavailable until next Halloween.

So sign up for the mailing list. I'll never share your email with anyone, and I'll only drop you a line once a week (at most) to send you fun links to make your world more delicious. Do it! The contest is open until 11:59 pm on November 19. Enter as many email addresses as you like, but they must all be real ones.

Links and Such

Follow Julia on Twitter and make sure you listen to the Slate Culture Gabfest podcast

Enter the contest for five free boxes of monster cereals by joining The Sporkful mailing list (in the right hand column of this page)

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Photo: Flickr CC / Luca Nebuloni