Memories of Pasta Dinners with Family
Pasta is our ultimate comfort food and traditional meal
I grew up eating pasta, a lot of it. My parents were both born in Italy and kept their food traditions simple and continuous after they moved to Canada. A plate of pasta, mostly with a wonderful red tomato sauce was an almost daily staple growing up with my two brothers. Usually, especially on weekends, there was a meat course as well, and a simple and crisp salad.
Once we all left the nest and our families expanded, pasta continued to remain a key meal in our lives. For many years it was a standing weekly tradition to have dinner at my parents’ place most Friday nights of the year. I joined my parents, brothers, their wives, and the kids each week. We all gathered around the table and shared lively conversations and occasional frustrations — but always with a sense of togetherness, comfort, and love.
Every time, there was a hearty and large bowl of pasta commanding the table to start the leisurely meal. My Mom and Dad both were great cooks. They made amazing flavorful sauce, usually accompanied by plump decadent meatballs. My Mom’s meatballs were the best — she used a…
