These Six Film Classics Are Actually About Pasta
Maybe it’s a foodie quirk, maybe it’s not so strange: whenever people eat in films, I’m on the edge of my seat. What are they eating? Do I know it? Maybe it would be fun to make it again? I can totally understand a scene from The Godfather in which the mobsters leave their revolvers behind, but do take the cannoli with them in their getaway. That’s why these six tips: pasta in films, enjoy!
Pasta with meatballs in The Godfather
While everyone is dealing ice-coldly in weapons and drugs, Clemenza in The Godfather is busy cooking pasta for all those gangsters. Large cans of tomatoes go into the pan. He explains it to the very young Al Pacino, who, as Michael Corleone, is just entering this world. ‘A little oil, fry the garlic for a moment, add the tomatoes and tomato paste, be careful not to let it burn, and then the meatballs and sausage can go in, red wine and some sugar – that’s my trick.’
Timpano from Big Night
Two Italian brothers and a restaurant in serious trouble—how will the men cook their way out of it? Brother Primo makes a timpano, an impressive pasta dish with meatballs, boiled eggs, salami and sauce, all layered in a large baking dish. Food porn, fifties-style!
Spaghetti in Lady and the Tramp
Two dogs being fed at the staff entrance of an Italian restaurant. That doesn’t sound romantic at all, but of course it is when Disney draws it. The two dogs lovingly slurp the tastiest spaghetti in town… Do you want the last meatball, sweetheart? Oh, that’s amore! Tony’s Town Square Restaurant from the film has been recreated at Disney World, where you can enjoy pasta just as romantically yourself.
No ziti in The Sopranos
The series was packed with references to Italian food. Just take the cannoli Tony kept bringing home for his mother. When she cancels a family gathering, son AJ isn’t actually all that upset, except: no ziti. ‘So what, no fucking ziti now?’ He immediately gets a scolding—not that kind of language when the priest is around! In case you’re wondering: ziti is large macaroni, which is baked in the oven with tomatoes, vegetables and plenty of cheese for ziti al forno.
Wine on the side in Goodfellas
Can you eat well in prison? If you’re with the mafia, you can. In Goodfellas, the wise guys have taken over the kitchen. Pasta first, followed by meat or fish, with some good wine on the side. Thick steak? No problem. A pro tip: you can slice garlic paper-thin with a razor blade. Spicy detail: mafia boss Joe Cipolla cooked for the mafia in prison. He published a cookbook containing, among other things, Scarface rib-eye.
Spaghetti or kissing in Eat Pray Love
Is pasta with tomato sauce just as delicious as kissing a handsome Italian? According to Elisabeth, it is, in the film Eat Pray Love. Julia Roberts is presented with the perfect plate of spaghetti and eats it—without cutting it —straight through. The eating part of the film was convincing anyway, especially when Julia says: I’m in love, I want a relationship with my pizza—just after eating Pizza Napolitana. We feel you!
