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 lot of parmesan cheese and a combo of veal and pork, and occasionally beef. I loved smashing them with a fork and mixing them up so that each forkful of spaghetti had the added flavor lift of the delicious meatball.

While I didn’t have an original photo from those family dinners readily on hand, I have a photo from a recent family gathering. And the bowl is originally from my parents’ house. My brother has been able to recreate those family traditional meals so well. Here is a good look at the hearty sauce and decadent meatballs before it all gets mixed up with the silky strands of pasta.

The gatherings with my parents ended over a decade ago. I am nostalgic for those moments and meals, especially as I am writing this - the memories of those Friday nights with the whole family are more vivid. I am proud that we continue to keep the food traditions alive by sharing wonderful meals in the style we knew and experienced for so long. We may not gather for meals as often, but when we do — there is often a plate of pasta at the core of the get-together.

I also continue to enjoy a hearty plate of pasta — whether it be spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne at home now for a simple but satisfying meal.

The spirit of my parents and the memories of the effort and soul they put into those family dinners continue to comfort me and warm my belly and heart. I am glad we were able to hang on to that tradition for as long as we did.

Do you enjoy a good plate of pasta?

Thanks for reading this story — part of the February Monthly Challenge — Featuring Food

Another story I enjoyed reading by Krasi Shapkarova features an interesting variety of delectable treats from many different cities.

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