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Pasta alla carbonara: the uncertain origin of the typical Roman dish
Can one visit Rome without tasting real spaghetti alla carbonara?
A beloved and world-renowned pasta dish, Rome's signature dish has an unclear origin. The recipe certainly originates after World War II, with the American allied troops playing a leading role.
Two versions place the first 'carbonara' in Rome and Naples. Who has this original primacy? Will it have happened in the Eternal City or at the foot of Vesuvius? In any case, a delicious and indispensable first course.
Pasta alla 'carbonara': the uncertain origin of the typical Roman dish
Can one visit Rome without tasting real spaghetti alla carbonara? A beloved and world-renowned pasta dish, Rome's signature dish has an unclear origin. The recipe certainly originates after World War II, with the American allied troops playing a leading role. Two versions place the first 'carbonara' in Rome and Naples. Who has this original primacy? In any case, a delicious and indispensable first course.
The birth of pasta alla carbonara
We are in Rome in 1944, and U.S. soldiers of the Allied troops taste 'cacio e ova' pasta, a pasta topped with the typical cheese and eggs, a traditional dish of the coal miners, in Roman dialect the 'carbonari'.
The birth of pasta carbonara
The combination of cacio and eggs is found in the eating habits of the coal miners of Latium and Abruzzo, who used these very two ingredients for pasturing while guarding the charcoal pile. A poor dish but rich in flavor and protein.
The addition of bacon
The 'American' intervention is in the addition of guanciale, which replaces smoked bacon, the famous bacon, a common ingredient in North American cuisine.
Origin of 'carbonara': the second theory
A second hypothesis places the birth of 'carbonara' in Naples in the same postwar period, in 1944/45. American troops loved the food served on street stalls in Naples, including the typical pizzaa portafoglio and spaghetti cooked quickly topped with cacio e pepe.
The origin of 'carbonara': the second theory
According to this theory, an American soldier who found the spaghetti dish particularly ''poor'' would have added a mixture consisting of powdered eggs, bacon and liquid cream to it.
The origin of carbonara: the second theory
From this cue, the Neapolitans would work on the recipe, eventually transforming carbonara into the dish we know today. Later the recipe spread to Rome, where it was a great success.
Cooking techniques
28/11/2023
Do you know which oil has been voted the best to use? We are not talking about seed oil, but another type. Let's find out together which oil is the best for frying without harming your health!
Not all oils are the same, and this is something we should all consider carefully, especially when it comes to frying. Many people are convinced that seed oil is the best choice for frying, but this belief is completely wrong.
In the past, many of us thought that seed oil was the right option for frying, as it was considered lighter. However, this common conception has been completely overturned by an investigation conducted by the 'Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry', a scientific journal of the American Chemical Society. And now, let's find out what emerged from this research: it may surprise you, but it is the truth!
Recipes
23/11/2023
Sweet potatoes, also known as 'American potatoes' are a great ingredient for many recipes.
Rich in nutrients such as vitamin A and beta-carotene, vitamin C, fibre, manganese, potassium, copper and magnesium, they are a healthy choice to enrich many dishes.
They are perfect as a healthy side dish, but also as a main ingredient in nutritious soups or other dishes.
Get inspired with some of our tips on how to use sweet potatoes in the kitchen and, most importantly, try them out!