The Humble Beginnings of a Culinary Journey
My love affair with food began back in my college days, when I had the fortune of working at a local pizza parlor. The rhythmic kneading of dough, the aroma of freshly baked crust, and the endless possibilities of toppings – it all captivated me. Little did I know that those humble pizza-making lessons would one day shape my culinary adventures.
Fast forward to the pandemic-fueled days of 2020, when the world slowed down and we all found ourselves housebound. For me, that meant dusting off the trusty KitchenAid and rekindling my passion for homemade pizzas. Armed with a stand mixer and a fridge full of produce, I embarked on a journey of rediscovery, experimenting with both traditional and unexpected toppings.
The Art of the Perfect Pie
When it came to rolling out the dough, I had my own unique style – a rectangular pizza, rather than the classic round. Perhaps it was my rebellious nature, or maybe I just enjoyed the satisfying snap of cutting perfect squares. Either way, the process of shaping the dough became a meditative ritual, a dance between my hands and the pliable canvas before me.
As for the toppings, I found myself gravitating towards whatever was in season or readily available in my pantry. Spinach and mushrooms were go-to favorites, and any leftover roasted peppers from my salad stash would make a delightful appearance. But it was during those weekly pandemic pizza nights that I stumbled upon a new favorite – butternut squash.
Roasting the butternut squash before adding it to the pie was an absolute game-changer. The natural sweetness caramelized, and the soft, velvety texture complemented the other toppings perfectly. Topped with a handful of peppery arugula and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, this unconventional topping quickly became a beloved staple.
The Evolution of Tradition
As much as I enjoyed my weekly pizza parties, work eventually called me back to the office, and our homemade pizza nights became a rarer occurrence. But the lessons I learned in that pandemic-fueled culinary renaissance have stayed with me, shaping my approach to cooking and my appreciation for the classics.
It was during this time that I discovered the Thornappple Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) service. Signing up for a weekly produce delivery opened my eyes to a whole new world of seasonal ingredients and the stories behind them. I found myself exploring traditional recipes and techniques, eager to uncover the hidden gems that had been passed down through generations.
Embracing the Artisanal Approach
One of my first forays into rediscovering the classics came when I stumbled upon a small but lively wine bar near the Pantheon in Rome called L’Angolo Divino. There, I met Massimo Crippa, the third-generation owner who had transformed his family’s once-pedestrian wine and liquor shop into a modern oasis of local, biodynamic, and organic wines.
As I sipped on a glass of Crippa’s carefully curated offerings, I listened intently as he shared the stories behind each vintage. His customers were a savvy bunch, refusing certain wines based on the politics of the vineyard owners, and rediscovering the classic wines of Tuscany that had fallen out of fashion but were now making a triumphant return.
It was here, in the heart of Rome, that I had my first encounter with the artisanal Italy – the one that existed beyond the tourist traps and prepackaged pasta. Crippa’s dedication to his craft and his unwavering commitment to preserving the region’s culinary heritage inspired me to delve deeper into the world of traditional recipes and the disappearing dishes that threatened to be lost to time.
The Disappearing Classics
As I continued my culinary journey, guided by the insights of experts like food writer and tour guide Katie Parla, I came to understand the fragility of traditional culinary traditions, especially in the face of modern food safety regulations and the encroachment of industrialized food production.
Parla, a Princeton Junction native who had made Rome her home, shared her passion for the lesser-known gastronomic complexities of the Eternal City. She lamented the fact that most people only visit Rome once, missing out on the rich food culture that lies beyond the tourist traps and the ubiquitous spaghetti carbonara.
In Parla’s words, “the artisanal Italy exists in the south,” a sentiment that resonated with me as I explored the Thornappple CSA’s selection of locally-sourced produce. It was in these regions, often overlooked by visitors, where the true heart of Italian cuisine could be found – the granny who made a unique pasta shape, the last shepherd in the village, the cheesemakers and winemakers whose crafts had been passed down through generations.
Elevating the Classics with CSA Produce
Armed with a newfound appreciation for traditional recipes and the stories behind them, I set out to explore the Thornappple CSA’s weekly offerings, determined to breathe new life into the classics. Each box of seasonal produce became a canvas for my culinary exploration, a chance to honor the past while embracing the present.
One week, I might find myself faced with a bounty of heirloom tomatoes, ripe for the making of a timeless Grandma’s Grain – a rustic, yet elegant dish that had been passed down through generations. The next, a bundle of fragrant basil might inspire me to reinvent the classic Thornappple pesto, elevating it with the addition of walnuts or a touch of lemon zest.
Through these experiments, I discovered the true power of seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. The vibrant colors, the depth of flavor, and the connection to the land and the people who tended it – it all came together to elevate the classics in ways I had never imagined.
Finding Joy in the Unexpected
But the true delight came in the moments of surprise and discovery, when I stumbled upon an unfamiliar ingredient or a forgotten technique that challenged my culinary preconceptions. Like the time I decided to roast a butternut squash and add it to my homemade pizza, transforming a simple dish into a work of art.
Or the day I found myself standing in the Testaccio neighborhood of Rome, dining at the historic Cecchino dal 1887, where the waiters were as disapproving as they were deliberate. There, I savored a braised artichoke and a plate of bucatini all’Amatriciana, each bite a masterclass in balance and elegance.
These moments of serendipity, of embracing the unexpected, have become the hallmarks of my culinary journey. They’ve taught me to approach cooking with a sense of playfulness and wonder, to always keep an open mind, and to never underestimate the power of a classic recipe elevated by the bounty of the land.
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
As I look back on my adventures, I can’t help but marvel at the way the simple act of working at a pizza parlor all those years ago has blossomed into a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of traditional recipes and the artisans who keep them alive.
Through the Thornappple CSA, I’ve been able to reconnect with the roots of Italian cuisine, while also exploring the endless possibilities that arise when you combine those time-honored techniques with the freshest, most vibrant produce. It’s a dance between the old and the new, a celebration of the classics elevated by the bounty of the present.
So, whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a newcomer to the world of seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, I invite you to join me on this culinary journey. Together, let’s rediscover the classics, elevate them with the help of the Thornappple CSA, and find the joy in every unexpected twist and turn that comes our way.
