33 Comments
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Federica Minozzi's avatar

What an amazing post! Italy in the 80s was out of this world...what about cocktail di scampi? 🤣 Now you made me feel like eating penne alla vodka!

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Flavor of Italy's avatar

Federica, that was my number one favorite pasta dish when I first got here in 1982! Now you almost never see it…

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Federica Minozzi's avatar

It's a pity. I love it too. I suppose it was a fad. But maybe we can bring it back!

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Anna Lapomme's avatar

I love this! I know what I’m making next weekend…

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Oooooh Anna, let me know how it goes!!! I hope it's drool-worthy and you play the song whilst you cook!

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Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

Oooo, Lolly this looks super yum! Simple done well.

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Simple done well. That's just it in a nutshell. You're always so good and summing things up concisely and eloquently, Sheryl!!

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Flavor of Italy's avatar

Love this, Lolly! That’s the kind of music I was listening to and loved to pieces when I first got here. And the hair? All that teasing and puffing and spraying!🥰😂

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Lisa McLean's avatar

This looks great Lolly, excellent photos too.

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Thank you Lisa - that means a lot coming from you! 😍

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Shell Plant's avatar

Love this post Lolly, from start to finish!! I will definitely be trying this pasta recipe. I particularly love the addition of nutmeg!

I am so with you on penne. My kids love it, but my heart always sinks when it's the only pasta we have left!

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

haha! I feel now that we should analyze WHY it’s our least fave? I do like it with this pasta condiment. I think normally it’s put with a ragu meat sauce or a sugo tomato sauce which are both better with other shapes. To ponder…

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Shell Plant's avatar

I've only ever tried smooth penne. Maybe I dislike it because it makes me think of kids meals? Or maybe the watery tomato sauce they used to serve us with penne at school.

I will try it with this sauce and let you know the outcome!

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Gabrielle's avatar

Mid 80s was my year of living in Florence for school and I loved this—I feel like it was often served on tortellini (and now that sounds way too rich!) so the penne sounds delizioso!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

So yummy—the pasta recipe, the music and the Italian feminist history. Thanks, Lolly!

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Yummy all around! I'll take it. Thanks, Ruth! :-) I nearly put down the recipe and just kept reading into the femminist history but managed to pull myself out.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

It makes me wonder what the parallels and differences might be between Italian feminism and the movement in America. Obviously there are many cultural disparities—and religion probably plays a role. And the timeline is also different. So interesting. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Lolly.

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

A lot of parallels. I think you’re on the right track with your thinking, Ruth, and here there is also a lot of lip service to it that doesn’t translate into action

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Fabulous, all of it. Love the history lesson, the song, the recipe, and that photo of you and your mom. But, especially love this: I’m a woman and I’ll use my body as I want.

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

It's such an important message - and to deliver it in mainstream pop culture to a country whose society is always pushing women's rights down. HUGE

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liz brennan's avatar

😍

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Thanks, Liz! :-)

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Valentina Solfrini's avatar

I don't know if people truly get how nostalgic cream in everything feels to us Italians! As a kid there were many panna-based staples - la 'Norcina' (cream, sausage, mushrooms, truffle oil), tortellini panna piselli e prosciutto, and my favorite, 'Boscaiola' (cream, prosciutto, peas, mushrooms)...then it all came to a screeching halt. I never even cooked them myself but sometimes I find myself craving one of these dishes, so I loved reading this!

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

I don't think they do, Valentina! Cream is in five billion pasta condiments in all restaurants in the US, not just Italian. Most Americans think it's part of every day Italian cooking! I'd love to read a post on Boscaiola by you! Make it for us? And feed your craving while ya do??

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Betty Williams's avatar

Love the 80s history and that video!!! This pasta looks delish too

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Thank you Betty, Don’t you want that dress at the start of the video?! Like my 80s prom dress on steroids and cocaine at the same time!!

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Betty Williams's avatar

Hahaha! 80s fashion was so amazing!

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Jenn Sharp's avatar

I love ALL of this! Thank you for sharing Lolly. And Happy Mother's Day!!

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Happy Mother’s Day Jenn!! 🥰🥰🥰

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Christina Mc's avatar

Sounds delicious, like your other easy pasta night recipes I’ve tried. So funny about the penne! I’ll have to check which ones I have in the pantry. Probably without ridges! Now I know better though 🤣. I also have the small container of panna chef, but who knows how long it’s been there! I think they actually last forever. I may have a hard time finding prosciutto cotto. Crudo is easy. Now I know the reason for the differences there too, and which is preferred in pasta! Grazie for all the tips, tidbits, and music. I’ll be waiting for pasta alla vodka! Happy Mother’s Day from North Carolina.

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Ooooh Christina! Let me know when you check your penne if it's ridged or smooth! haha And I agree - that panna chef boxed stuff will probably outlive us all! I wondered about finding prosciutto cotto too. But I bet there are a lot of high quality ham alternatives? Maybe? Happy mamma's day to you! x

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Christina Mc's avatar

I have ridges!!

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Lolly Martyn's avatar

Phew!! 😅😂😂😂💕

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