What is the strangest way to cook pasta?
The following shows the importance of pasta for Italians.
Many Sicilians living in the city have a country house. Some of these houses are stately, some are mere shacks. Especially for festivities they are the theatre of happy gatherings where eating is the central theme.
Usually a day in the country evolves around a barbecue. Sausage, chops, vegetables, bread, fish, you name it. The grill has no rest. Since we are in Sicily, someone has to bring ‘pasta al forno’.
Well, last year this someone forgot to bring the pasta. Even if she had run over the family dog people would have been more understanding. The poor thing said she’d make us some unforgettable pasta anyway. Reluctantly we all agreed to the alternative.
She had just lowered the pasta in the boiling water when the gas went out. The tank was empty. And it being Sunday there was no chance of getting a new one. So she brought the pot to the bbq. People objected. The pot was too heavy, the fire too low. Instead of giving up on the pasta -my idea- the group joined the pasta saving operation.
Eventually the remaining cooking was done on the stove of an elderly neighbour. Who happened to have fresh picked wild asparagus. And the best olive oil in the whole world. Resulting in a memorable pasta dish.
NB. A kilo of pasta costs about one euro. The emotional value instead is much higher. I guess it is the essence of Italian cooking. Work with what you have and never belittle anything regarding food. Have fun, enjoy food and
buon appetito
