In times of economic uncertainty and rising global tensions, people are creating an environment of love and inclusivity by sharing meals together with friends and family. Pasta is a popular pick for community potlucks, family gatherings, and neighborhood dinner parties because pasta is tasty and it brings people together.

 

Few foods bring a smile to people's faces like a delicious bowl of pasta. This delicious pantry staple crosses culture, age and dietary boundaries like almost no other single food. Whether you favor the spicy cuisine of Mexico and Brazil, the freshness of Mediterranean herbs and fish, or the heartiness of a warm comfort food on a cold day, pasta is a canvas for every culture and cuisine.

 

While pasta meals have been around for centuries, pasta's popularity is only growing stronger. According to the Food Trends 2016 report from Google, "The Pasta Comeback" was highlighted as one of the top five food trends of 2016. In fact, Google reports that search interest in pasta grew 26% from January 2015 to January 2016, and is especially strong on the weekends. Rigatoni was the most popular shape that people searched online for, but there was also strong interest in tortellini, linguine, penne, and fusilli, among others.

 

Pasta has a long history, but this iconic dish is also bringing a new generation together. In a study of Italian millenials (the generation of adults under age 35), pasta ranked first among essential foods. This group of young adults, "generation Masterchef," especially prizes pasta's tradition, improvisation, simplicity, and affordability. In fact, eight out of ten report eating pasta meals almost every day. And when asked, 42% of the millennials answered that the pasta dish of the future is Spaghetti, Tomatoes and Basil. You will find the recipe of this transgenerational evergreen pasta dish below.

 

 

While pasta is best known for its delicious taste, nutrition experts have uncovered even more reasons to love pasta. In a July 2016 study in Nutrition & Diabetes, researchers analyzed the eating habits, BMI, and abdominal obesity of more than 23,000 adults across Italy to see how pasta intake relates to body weight. The researchers found that pasta intake was linked with significantly lower BMIs and central obesity, even after adjusting for total calories and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Pasta intake was also correlated with the intake of other healthy foods, such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, seasoned cheese, and rice. 

During the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janiero, chefs are serving an estimated 2,700 kilograms (5,952 pounds) of pasta to athletes from all across the globe. That's
The athlete dining room at the summer games is two football fields long and highlights pasta in one of its five international buffet offerings.

Athletes Around the World Are Pasta Fans:

• U.S. Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps said he used to eat 1 kg of pasta per day when in training.
• When training, a light lunch for Usain Bolt, Jamaican sprinter, includes pasta.
• But perhaps the most unexpected pro pasta and carbohydrates testimonial comes from an athlete of the past: Before races, Jesse Owens, the hero of Berlin '36, ate only pasta, provided by a friend from Little Italy.

We are pleased to announce the next World Pasta Day will be
celebrated in Moscow, on October 25th, 2016, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

View this video from last year's event, to see how pasta brings people together.  

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For more information, contact Francesca Ronca [email protected] www.pastaforall.info