Linguine are the most well-known type of long pasta from Liguria: they resemble a small, flat, narrow tagliatella-type pasta and were created to be eaten with traditional pesto. It is precisely the flattened section and slightly convex shape of this pasta that makes it perfect for trapping sauce bits. Linguine are excellent with butter and sage, or combined with fresh tomato based sauces, with vegetables and aromatic herbs, or quick, spicy sauces prepared with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, red pepper, anchovies and capers. Linguine is also ideal with shellfish and seafood sauces, and with white sauces prepared with cream, mascarpone, soft or melting cheeses.