Aug 25, 2023·edited Aug 25, 2023Liked by Silvio Castelletti
Can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading all these details about my favorite culture on earth. Surprised and delighted to learn the Amatriciana style comes from that town and region, it's my favorite kind of pizza, along with the diavola.
Reading this made me think when I was in Bologna and mentioned to the airbnb lady that we wanted to try pasta alla Bolognesa while there, and she replied something like "Bolognesa? Bolognesa sono io! RAGÚ!!" 😂😂
I also remembered my wife and I's quest and deep dive on pizzas in Rome, it took us to very far and not famous neighborhoods in Rome, and you're so right, the trips there, the conversations, the people we met, were the most important and memorable and satisfying, even more than the pizzas themselves. Beautiful piece!
Thank you so much, Oscar, for always being present with your kind words. Honestly, I didn't know that there was a Pizza Amatriciana lol. Here, I'm talking about spaghetti, which is the way it should be had. Of course I respect all types of tastes, but I'm a traditionalist as far as pizza is concerned. I love your anecdote on Ragù! It made me laugh lol. It is true, however, that even in Italy you can say, for example, tagliatelle alla bolognese, which is like saying tagliatelle al ragù. But then there are lots of different types of ragù, for example. In Naples, ragù is a strong culinary tradition. They call it Genovese (from Genoa), even though it's made in Naples. I never really understood why. Or maybe I read something once that I don't remember now. Anyways, there's a reason for that, of course. :)
Haha definitely expected you'd have strong convictions regarding pizza, and didn't know spaghetti is the only way Amatriciana should be had, good to at least know! Very interesting to learn those details about ragu, not surprised it's a point of heated debate or specificity. That's obviously present in every type of food (and cultures for that matter) but I feel like in Italy both the number of topics and the specificity or verticality is bigger than most cultures, which for me, only makes it more fascinating
I'm always touched by the stories you tell of your father and your relationship to him. There was something special between you both in a father/son relationship. I think he comes through in your writing. I especially like your comments this piece about spending time, as my dad is still here, but at 87, who knows how much longer he'll be around. You've given me the motivation to see both him and my mom more.
Thank you, Rick. Yes, we always realize the value of spending time with our folks too late. At least that was my case. I remember a friend who lost his dad prematurely always said "spend time with them, cause, one day, they'll be gone, and you'll regret things, like I do now". This was many years ago. But I never gave too much value to this, I always thought that I'd have one more day to catch up and do things with them. Parents are almost the natural target of emotional procrastination: I'll say how much I love them tomorrow; I'll thank them for all the things they gave me, tomorrow. I'm writing this because it happened to me with my dad, and I'm trying not to make it happen again with my mom. But there are forces at play that keep you from fully embracing this. I don't know. It's a mystery. The only thing I can do now is honor Dad's memory by writing about him and little anecdotes about us together. Nothing else.
Thanks. I'm making the 90 minute drive this afternoon to go see my folks. It's time to stop letting that small amount of distance be the reason to not see them more. This writing about your dad in my opinion is no small thing. There is nothing about your stories of your dad that are like a consolation prize, or second best thing to getting to be with him. It's the real deal to share his mood, who he was, and what he gave you through your writing. It's a legitimate way of being with him, and letting him be with us.
Thank you, Rick. "I'm making the 90 minute drive this afternoon to go see my folks. It's time to stop letting that small amount of distance be the reason to not see them more" -- this is nice. Glad you're doing this. :)
I love this part of Italy. Your descriptions transported me back. Thanks for another beautiful story. We will be traveling to Sicily next May for a deep dive into this glorious part of my favorite country to visit. Ciao. 🍷
Thank you, Stan! The beauty of Italy is that every area is different and has it own very specific characteristics. But I'm biased, obviously. You'll love Sicily, 100% (if you don't already -- I'm assuming it's going to be your first time there).
Can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading all these details about my favorite culture on earth. Surprised and delighted to learn the Amatriciana style comes from that town and region, it's my favorite kind of pizza, along with the diavola.
Reading this made me think when I was in Bologna and mentioned to the airbnb lady that we wanted to try pasta alla Bolognesa while there, and she replied something like "Bolognesa? Bolognesa sono io! RAGÚ!!" 😂😂
I also remembered my wife and I's quest and deep dive on pizzas in Rome, it took us to very far and not famous neighborhoods in Rome, and you're so right, the trips there, the conversations, the people we met, were the most important and memorable and satisfying, even more than the pizzas themselves. Beautiful piece!
Thank you so much, Oscar, for always being present with your kind words. Honestly, I didn't know that there was a Pizza Amatriciana lol. Here, I'm talking about spaghetti, which is the way it should be had. Of course I respect all types of tastes, but I'm a traditionalist as far as pizza is concerned. I love your anecdote on Ragù! It made me laugh lol. It is true, however, that even in Italy you can say, for example, tagliatelle alla bolognese, which is like saying tagliatelle al ragù. But then there are lots of different types of ragù, for example. In Naples, ragù is a strong culinary tradition. They call it Genovese (from Genoa), even though it's made in Naples. I never really understood why. Or maybe I read something once that I don't remember now. Anyways, there's a reason for that, of course. :)
Haha definitely expected you'd have strong convictions regarding pizza, and didn't know spaghetti is the only way Amatriciana should be had, good to at least know! Very interesting to learn those details about ragu, not surprised it's a point of heated debate or specificity. That's obviously present in every type of food (and cultures for that matter) but I feel like in Italy both the number of topics and the specificity or verticality is bigger than most cultures, which for me, only makes it more fascinating
I love the gentle pace of this memory shared with us. It has your classic brand of description and soft-hearted connection.
Such nice words. Thank you so much, Karena! :)
I'm always touched by the stories you tell of your father and your relationship to him. There was something special between you both in a father/son relationship. I think he comes through in your writing. I especially like your comments this piece about spending time, as my dad is still here, but at 87, who knows how much longer he'll be around. You've given me the motivation to see both him and my mom more.
Thank you, Rick. Yes, we always realize the value of spending time with our folks too late. At least that was my case. I remember a friend who lost his dad prematurely always said "spend time with them, cause, one day, they'll be gone, and you'll regret things, like I do now". This was many years ago. But I never gave too much value to this, I always thought that I'd have one more day to catch up and do things with them. Parents are almost the natural target of emotional procrastination: I'll say how much I love them tomorrow; I'll thank them for all the things they gave me, tomorrow. I'm writing this because it happened to me with my dad, and I'm trying not to make it happen again with my mom. But there are forces at play that keep you from fully embracing this. I don't know. It's a mystery. The only thing I can do now is honor Dad's memory by writing about him and little anecdotes about us together. Nothing else.
Thanks. I'm making the 90 minute drive this afternoon to go see my folks. It's time to stop letting that small amount of distance be the reason to not see them more. This writing about your dad in my opinion is no small thing. There is nothing about your stories of your dad that are like a consolation prize, or second best thing to getting to be with him. It's the real deal to share his mood, who he was, and what he gave you through your writing. It's a legitimate way of being with him, and letting him be with us.
Thank you, Rick. "I'm making the 90 minute drive this afternoon to go see my folks. It's time to stop letting that small amount of distance be the reason to not see them more" -- this is nice. Glad you're doing this. :)
I love this part of Italy. Your descriptions transported me back. Thanks for another beautiful story. We will be traveling to Sicily next May for a deep dive into this glorious part of my favorite country to visit. Ciao. 🍷
Thank you, Stan! The beauty of Italy is that every area is different and has it own very specific characteristics. But I'm biased, obviously. You'll love Sicily, 100% (if you don't already -- I'm assuming it's going to be your first time there).
What a lovely story and adventure! Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you! Glad you liked it, Elizabeth! :)