Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rapallo, Pasta and my Nonna.....


What food I like the most? Difficult question without a clear answer ....What is for me “comfort food”? Pasta 
Pasta (in all shapes and styles) makes me feel at home. I have Italian roots, and as expected, pasta was very often a meal at home. However, pasta not only brings back memories of my childhood, but is also deeply connected with my Grandmother (Nonna). She was very special to me. She was a fairy in the kitchen ....She applied magic to few ingredients and transformed them into a gourmet meal. She neither lived in a big city nor traveled to try different cuisines. Her meals were nothing more than an epicurean delight. When my Nonno was alive, she made fresh pasta for him. My Nonno was also an excellent cook; he was from Rapallo (Italy).

Although her life was not easy, she was always happy and smiling. Once I asked her "Why are you always happy? Why, when I ask How are you your answer is always SUPER?". She told me ......There is no reason to be unhappy ....even when your life is miserable, you must be happy ... ....and she was right .....
One of the things that surprises me the most about her is that she never complained.....Although she had hemiplegia for thirty-seven years ..........she always cooked fresh pasta, lasagna, ravioli, Chilean stews and cakes with one hand .......

When I think about her, I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to share and be so close to that wonderful woman.

Thanks Nonna.....wherever you are......

My next post is pasta dough.....

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