The high holy day of Pastafarianism, via the blessed Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, is rapidly approaching. World Pasta Day is celebrated today, Tuesday, October 25th, and it’s a glorious day when we can come together in our love of the Noodle, in all of its noodly splendor.
Even you low-carb, gluten-free and Paleo folks can join in, instead of being sad and eating salad. Pinterest once again comes to the rescue with thousands of pasta recipes made from rice, tapioca or almond flour. If you’re too busy (or too lazy) to make pasta from scratch, your neighborhood Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods will have an amazing selection of delicious pasta made from tree bark and mud… ha, just kidding. It’s actually very tasty when prepared correctly!
Traditional Italian pasta is, of course, made lovingly with eggs, flour, olive oil, and salt. The flour should be Italian “00” or Farina di Semola. It’s really not that hard, especially if you have a pasta making machine, some adult beverages, and a lot of patience. Maybe a soundtrack of heavy metal or Dean Martin, to get you in the mood.
My personal favorite pasta to make is ravioli. It’s actually MUCH easier than it sounds. I find you can release a lot of stress by beating the hell out of some pasta dough. Ravioli is really versatile and cooks very quickly once prepared. You can make it with a veggie, meat or cheese-based filling (or all three, if you’re feeling adventurous) - and those little nuggets of goodness are ready after only a few minutes in boiling water or broth.
For the full experience and proper ambiance on this year’s World Pasta Day, enjoy some noodles at one of Tampa Bay’s best pasta restaurants:
Bellas Italian Grille , 1413 S Howard Ave, Tampa - I absolutely LOVE this place! A staple of South Howard, Bella’s is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Open late, full bar, and the most delightful Pasta Bistecca Gorgonzola (starburst pasta with steak & asparagus in a gorgonzola cheese sauce - I’m dead).
Gino's Bar and Restaurant , 10006 N Armenia Ave, Tampa - This little gem of an Italian restaurant is tucked away in North Tampa, near the Forest Hills neighborhood & the Babe Zaharias golf course. The seafood fettuccine in Alfredo features fresh shrimp, clams, and scallops in a comforting, flavorful sauce.
La Terrazza Ristorante, 1727 East 7th Ave, Ybor City - Nestled in the heart of Ybor’s bustling 7th Ave, Las Terrazza has been serving up northern Italian cuisine since 1996. Let Chef Andrea & host Luigi show you la dolce vita - and be sure to try my absolute favorite, the Ravioli di Aragosta e Granchio (ravioli with lobster & crab meat, in a shrimp and asparagus sauce).
It’s also entirely appropriate to combine two of your favorite holidays, World Pasta Day and Halloween. How would one possibly do such a thing, you might ask? Wear a spaghetti costume found on Pinterest! Check out this incredible DIY wearable pasta homage. However, you celebrate - Mangia bene, and be safe!
For more great costume ideas and inspiration, and DIY you might like:
