As we know from our own experience, Italian food has always brought family and friends together. Our food has traditionally been one of the strongest cultural links between Italy and America. To honor this tradition, here are three famous food stories you might not have heard before:
In 1927, American movie stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were on their honeymoon in Rome. Every night this elegant couple would dine at Alfredo’s restaurant and order “Fetuccine al Buro” a dish made with pasta, cream, and butter. When the honeymooners returned to Hollywood, they shared the recipe with their famous friends, but they renamed the dish “Fettuccine Alfredo” in honor of the chef who created it. Since then, the dish has become a popular menu item in many Italian restaurants.
The story of “Spaghetti alla Carbonara” traces back to the last days of World War II. American soldiers started sharing their rations of bacon and eggs with the Italians they had just liberated. The Italians added pasta to the mix and Spaghetti alla Carbonara was born. The combination of eggs, cheese, pork, and pasta has become a delicious addition to our cuisine.
And finally, in the 1965 movie “The Agony and the Ecstasy”, American actor, Charlton Heston portrays the Italian artist, Michelangelo. In the famous scenes where Michelangelo is painting the ceiling on his back from a scaffolding, wet brown plaster is dripping onto his face and into his mouth. Luckily for Mr. Heston, the plaster was actually that favorite American snack, chocolate pudding!
As you can see from these examples, food continues to connect us to our Italian roots. Please enjoy the chocolate pudding provided for tonight’s dessert. I hope you will think of poor Michelangelo every time you eat chocolate pudding. Please feel free to take some pudding home. Buon appetito!
Source:
Little Known Facts About Well-Known Places: Italy, by David Hoffman. Metro Books, New York: 2008.
by Charlene Pardo