Why is it that it is sometimes suggested that I add salt to water before I boil it when making spaghetti. Aside from adding taste to it, I've been told that the salt somehow makes the spaghetti more tender. How does that work?
Adding salt INCREASES the boiling temperature of the water for any food you wish to cook by boiling, which decreases the cooking time for the food. It also adds flavor, sodium and iodine (if using an iodized salt).