Pastina Makes a Perfect Meal
If you're an Italian-American momma there's no reason to read this. Everyone else may want to pay attention. I have a tip for a quick meal that's sure to please.
Whenever Hendrick gets fussy and won't eat, I make him pastina, a bambino's most comforting food. This tiny star-shaped pasta only takes a few minutes to cook. Then you mix in a little butter and grated parmigiano cheese. (No self-respecting Italian would use Kraft in a can, so buy the good stuff at Wegman's cheese counter or your local ethnic food market. You'll thank me later.)
I sometimes use organic chicken broth instead of or along with the water to boil. It makes the dish more nutritious, particularly for a boy who won't eat chicken.
I had forgotten all about pastina until a few years ago, when I watched my friend's mother, Mrs. Esposito, feed it to her twin grandsons. I must admit the smell was so enticing I almost stole a few mouthfuls from the babies. (Uh, that was before my motherly instincts kicked in.) Instead, I later insisted on cleaning up the dishes so I could scarf down the leftovers when Nonna wasn't looking.
I love to watch Hendrick feed himself pastina. You should see how cute he looks with those little stars stuck to his forehead! Tubini and other small shapes work well, too, and you won't need a tweezers to pick them out of you child's hair.
Whenever Hendrick gets fussy and won't eat, I make him pastina, a bambino's most comforting food. This tiny star-shaped pasta only takes a few minutes to cook. Then you mix in a little butter and grated parmigiano cheese. (No self-respecting Italian would use Kraft in a can, so buy the good stuff at Wegman's cheese counter or your local ethnic food market. You'll thank me later.)
I sometimes use organic chicken broth instead of or along with the water to boil. It makes the dish more nutritious, particularly for a boy who won't eat chicken.
I had forgotten all about pastina until a few years ago, when I watched my friend's mother, Mrs. Esposito, feed it to her twin grandsons. I must admit the smell was so enticing I almost stole a few mouthfuls from the babies. (Uh, that was before my motherly instincts kicked in.) Instead, I later insisted on cleaning up the dishes so I could scarf down the leftovers when Nonna wasn't looking.
I love to watch Hendrick feed himself pastina. You should see how cute he looks with those little stars stuck to his forehead! Tubini and other small shapes work well, too, and you won't need a tweezers to pick them out of you child's hair.
2 Comments:
You are so right. I never had heard of pastina, until my Italian mother in law started feeding it to my babies. It was a quick, delicious, easy meal. Kids loved it and I did too.
My mother always made me pastina growing up. She would add an egg in it.
I like your idea of the chicken broth. My son would probably like it, since he eats anything. But I am not sure about my daughter.
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