National Pasta Day

 

There were two shapes of pasta when were were kids, spaghetti and macaroni. Both were still considered pretty exotic. There wasn't a single Italian (much less, Chinese) restaurant in Bucks County Pa in the 1950's.

 

On the rare occasions we ate out, it was Trainer's Restaurant on Highway 309. They were popular for seafood and it was considered very fancy-- everyone dressed up and on their best behavior. 

 

It was considered brash for a child to speak up and tell an adult waitress what they wanted (I was too shy anyway) so we ate what our parents ordered. I remember delicious crab cakes. White tablecloths, real napkins and always that basket of rolls and butter. Even the glass of ice water was an exciting thing. It's a shame in some ways how we've become so "sophisticated." Few things are a real treat anymore for kids.  

Anyway, speaking of pasta, many a can of this old staple...

Now a different scene in Columbus Ohio, with John's family being Italian, pasta was the staff of life. Or was that bread? Anyway, this looks like more fun. Every food culture in the world has a preferred filler starch: pasta, rice, dumplings, bread, taro, potatoes and so on.

Nope, no pasta here tonight-- teriyaki pork and brown rice.