There are many traditional Italian dishes that manage to warm the heart and soul. If we were to focus only on the former, the bacon and egg it would certainly deserve the first place among the most loved dishes by Italians. Precisely for this reason in 2017 the pasta makers of Italian Food Union have decided to establish the "Carbonara day", That each 6th April it is proposed again, gathering more and more social consensus.
Carbonara Day: the Italians would share it with Verdone and Mattarella
Carbonara is not just a dish of the heart: it is also the dish for special occasions (as Carbonara Day demonstrates). This is a dish that you prepare to share with those you love. Recent research Piepoli / UnionFood conducted on a sample of 500 Guests has shown in fact that for 1 in 3 respondents, the carbonara is prepared to celebrate a particular day or an anniversary. However, most of them (58%) said that it is possible to indulge in a carbonara even without necessarily having to celebrate something. In addition to the question "would eat a carbonara with ...”The most popular names were those of Carlo Verdone (25%) and Sergio Mattarella (14%). The first symbol of Romanism and the second of the country's stability, these have beaten other famous people such as Chiara Ferragni, the Moonlight e Drusilla Foer.
Verdone and Mattarella are two characters much loved by Italians. Precisely for this reason they turned out to be the two people with whom the interviewees would gladly eat a carbonara. This is indeed a dish to share with whom you love. As stated by the president of the Italian pasta makers of Unione Italiana Food, Richard Felicetti: "When we Italian pasta makers created Carbonara Day 6 years ago, we wanted to remind you that a plate of pasta does not divide, but unites. This year we strongly reiterate the symbolic value of a plate of pasta that makes us stay together and lightens the spirit in difficult moments. And discussions with a smile are welcome as to whether pancetta or guanciale, spaghetti or rigatone is better: a legend about the origins of Carbonara says that it is a dish of necessity, born in time of war. Let it be today a symbol of friendship, affection and sharing».
An untouchable recipe?
Carbonara is now considered a traditional Italian dish, but it seems to have very little of "tradition". Like many local dishes, its origin is unclear. Some say it was born from the union between pasta and ration K of American soldiers (bacon and egg yolk powder), others that it is an evolution of cheese and ova. Carbonara "purists" do not accept pancetta, but pillow it only came at a later time. As reported Albert Grandi, professor of food history at the University of Parma in his book (and podcast) "DOI - Invented Designation of Origin”, The carbonara is an invention of the Italian Americans (validating the thesis of his birth thanks to US soldiers). In fact, until the 50s, carbonara was not present in any Italian recipe book. The very first carbonara recipe, again according to Professor Grandi, is written in English, and is found in a cookbook published in New York.
Carbonara is therefore one untouchable recipe? Even if today it seems a heresy not to use pecorino and bacon and to make a cream based on egg yolks, do not there is a real recipe "pure". Everyone does the carbonara in its own way (and always thinks it's the best in the world). Whether you use spaghetti, rigatoni, "raw" egg or cooked in the style of an omelette, bacon, bacon, pecorino or parmesan, the carbonara always remains carbonara... a dish that you fall in love with at first sight and that manages to make anyone fall in love with its fragrance and its unmistakable taste. Long live carbonara and Carbonara Day.
Photo source in evidence: Roberto Gentile
