Baked Spaghetti Pie

No need to wait for leftover pasta to make Daniel Paterna’s Baked Spaghetti Pie (Torta Di Pasta). This comforting pasta pie comes together in no time at all! 

Disclosure: I have been provided with a complimentary copy of the book: “Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn-Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family” by Daniel Paterna (Publisher: PowerHouse Books). I have not received any monetary compensation for this review. Views and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

As a food blogger, I occasionally get opportunities to perform cookbook reviews. 

As much as I love cookbooks, this is something I rarely do.

When I received an e-mail from Emily of Mindbuck Media Book Publicity (Publisher: powerHouse Books), asking if I was interested in reviewing a book entitled FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES: A BROOKLYN-ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD AND FAMILY, written by Daniel Paterna, I was ecstatic!

First, because the email did not end up in my spam folder and second, The Feast of the Seven Fishes!!! 

The truth is that my family and I (first-generation Italian-Canadian) continue to celebrate Christmas Eve with a variety of meatless recipes and wonderful desserts, including this recipe for Seafood Salad, St. Joseph’s Pasta, my Mom’s Mostaccioli and my sister in law’s Calzoni di Ceci, to name but a few dishes.

Both my parents immigrated from Southern Italy in the early ’50s; my dad from the region of Molise, and my mom from Campania.

For those of you who are not aware, anyone of Italian origin considers Christmas Eve one of the most important holidays to celebrate with family and friends. 

I immediately felt an emotional attachment without knowing anything about the book. I was extremely curious to see how Mr. Paterna, an Italian from Brooklyn, celebrates this important family gathering.

I couldn’t wait to see if his family recipes resembled mine as his family also has origins from Campania.

My expectations were high.

I would not be disappointed.

In the words of Daniel Paterna, this book truly is a celebration of “Family, Friends, and Food”(page 248).

In this book review, I will provide you with my impressions. I will also share with you my adaptation of his family recipe for Torta di Pasta (reproduced by permission of the publisher).

Who is Daniel Paterna?

Mr. Paterna is a second-generation Italian-American who, along with his brother, is still custodian to the Brooklyn house his grandfather built-in 1926. A home where his mother lived her entire life and the home where he was born and raised.

He is a graduate of the Pratt Institute and graduated with honors in graphic design. He presently owns his own design company.

Who would be interested in The Feast of the Seven Fishes book?

If you grew up in an Italian neighborhood, whether it was in Brooklyn, Boston, South Philly, Montreal (like me) or any other city where millions of Italians immigrated to, this book is for you.

If you are of Italian origin, proud of your heritage, and try to preserve “the traditions” of the generations before you, this book is for you.

If you enjoy Italian food and Italian culture, this book is for you.

If you are interested to learn about an ethnic community, expressed not only in words, but with enticing photos of people, places and recipes that celebrate life, this book is for you.

A Brooklyn-Italian’s recipes celebrating food and family

Upon flipping the first page of this hardcover book, there are two words: “For Mom”.

There is no denying that this book is about a son, expressing his love and gratitude, first and foremost for his mom and his family and then to all of his extended family -the individuals and family shops of his Bensonhurst neighborhood. 

His professional background as a photographer is evident as you turn the pages of this captivating book. 

Mr. Paterna offers snapshots of what it was like to be an Italian in Brooklyn. Photos of people, places and food that will elicit an emotional response. Forgotten memories will be triggered.

The importance of community is extremely evident in so many of the photos. I did not walk the streets of this neighborhood, but I was raised in a similar community. The faces and places were very familiar to me. It felt like I was home.

If you grew up in an Italian family, chances are you were in an Italian neighborhood, with your cousins living down the street. The food, the places and the characters of this narrative will indeed feel very familiar to you. 

The content

The book is divided into sections and subsections ( a sample listed below), each with captivating photos of people, places and recipes. Every photo tells a story. Mr. Paterna is a master of his craft. 

After a Foreword by Michael Lomonaco, Mr. Paterna introduces his parents, grandparents and family. We are also introduced to Bensonhurst and the community he lived in. Family recipes are included in every section. Important holidays are highlighted with wonderful family stories and Mr. Paterna’s sense of humor. The final section is entitled “Passing it On” (page 246). No further explanation required.

Go-To Shops:

• I Negozi: The Shops
• Queen Ann Ravioli
• Royal Crown II Paneantico
• Faicco’s Pork Store
• Villabate Alba
• Frank & Sal
• Savarese Italian Pastry Shop
• Pastosa Ravioli
• Lioni
• Papa Pasquale
• United Meat Market
• D.Coluccio & Sons
• A.L.C. Alimentari Italian Grocery
• Sea Breeze II

La Festa:

• Christmas Eve, the Feast of the Seven Fishes
• Christmas Day
• Easter
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Daily Dishes

Passing It On:

• Family, Friends and Food
• Anne’s Legacy
• Thank You

And finally, an Index of Recipes.

The family recipes

Mr. Paterna generously shares his family recipes for some of the most important Italian holiday celebrations. These are authentic Italian recipes to his family. 

I share a similar background with Mr. Paterna as my mom was also born in the Campania region of Italy, Benevento to be exact. So many of his family recipes resemble my own.

To date, I have tried three of his recipes. The Baked Shrimp (page 150) because it reminded me of my mom’s Baked Cod Fish recipe. The Meatball Recipe (page 164) once again because of the similarities to my family’s recipe. Both are excellent.

The third recipe is the Torta Di Pasta (page 43) or if you prefer, pasta pie. I choose this simple recipe because it reminded me of my nonna  and “cucina povera“.

Here is my interpretation of Mr. Paterna’s family recipe which he describes as “a great use of leftover pasta” (page 43).

Instructions

Let’s preheat the oven to 350°F and place the oven grate to the center of the oven. The recipe for this oven spaghetti calls for a 10-inch ovenproof skillet. I had a 9 inch round oven proof pan. 

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 pound of spaghetti. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

Since the pasta is going to be baked, cook according to the package instructions minus a few minutes. In other words, very al dente. Taste for doneness. When done, drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.

While the pasta is cooking, let’s prepare the rest of the ingredients for this pasta pie.

In a large bowl, whisk together 8 eggs, ¼ cup of milk, salt and pepper. The recipe calls for 1½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper.

Stir in the ¾ cup of grated Romano cheese. [The original recipe includes the addition of ¼ cup of dried sausage, I opted to skip this ingredient].

By this time the pasta should be done. Drain and set it aside for a few minutes allowing it to cool down. Add the spaghetti to the egg mixture and combine it properly together.

Heat the ovenproof pan (or skillet) over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the spaghetti mixture and cook for approximately 5 minutes until the bottom begins to set. 

Transfer the pan (or skillet) to the oven and cook for approximately 20 minutes or until the egg mixture sets and is no longer runny.

Allow to cool a few minutes before transferring to a serving dish.

Garnish with chopped fresh Italian parsley. Slice and serve this baked with your favorite Italian Salad. 

My final thoughts

I spent an entire weekend reading and reviewing Mr. Paterna’s book the FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES: A BROOKLYN-ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD AND FAMILY.

I thoroughly enjoyed my complimentary copy of the book. I never thought a “cookbook” could be so engaging! 

Needless to say, family stories and recipes are truly priceless. 

Equally mesmerizing are all of the food photos… and there are many!  

I felt a special connection to the section on “Go-To Shops” as my dad (a butcher by trade) was the owner of an Italian Grocery Store in Montreal. As a daughter of a grocer, I experienced first hand how important it was for an immigrate population to be able to shop for Italian ingredients. So many of these essential ingredients were key to recreate those wonderful family recipes.  

These shops, continue to play an integral part in ensuring that Italian traditions continue.

This is not your traditional cookbook. This is a story about the importance of family and community told through pictures and recipes. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes, a thousand percent!

In fact, I am planning on gifting this book to a few of my friends.

Thank you, Mr. Paterna, for the wonderful tribute to your mom, your family and all of the individuals that continue to play an integral part of this celebratory book.

Your mom would be proud!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria 

★★★★★ If you have made this Spaghetti Bake Recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

Product Details:

• Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn-Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family
• Author: Daniel Paterna
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• ISBN: 978-1576879153

 

Disclosure: I have been provided with a complimentary copy of the book: “Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn-Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family” by Daniel Paterna (Publisher: PowerHouse Books). I have not received any monetary compensation for this review. Views and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

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