Pasta San Giuseppe

Pasta– it’s a blank canvas for flavors, and a comfort food staple. But have you ever heard of St. Joseph’s Pasta? It’s more than just a dish; it’s a tradition, a symbol of gratitude, and a delicious reminder of a legendary miracle.

The Legend and the Feast:

The story goes that during a severe drought in Sicily, the people prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers and families, for relief. Their prayers were answered with much-needed rain, saving their crops, particularly fava beans. In gratitude, they prepared a feast in St. Joseph’s honor, featuring dishes made with the bountiful harvest.

And thus, St. Joseph’s Day, celebrated on March 19th, became synonymous with elaborate altars laden with food, particularly pasta. This isn’t just any pasta, though. It’s often a special preparation, reflecting the region and the spirit of the celebration. We are going to walk you through 2 of the most popular variations of Pasta San Giuseppe. 

Pasta con Sarde

This recipe is traditional to the Sicilian region. These are the main components: 

• Sardines and Anchovies: These provide a salty, savory base for the sauce.
• Wild Fennel: This aromatic herb adds a distinctive, slightly sweet flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Toasted breadcrumbs provide a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor.
• Sweet Elements: In some regions, sweet elements are added to the pasta, like raisins or figs, representing the abundance of the harvest.
• Shapes and Preparations: You’ll find a variety of pasta shapes used, from traditional long pasta like spaghetti or bucatini to more unique shapes. The pasta is often dressed with a rich, savory sauce, sometimes including a tomato base, and finished with the toasted breadcrumbs.

The dish offers a unique combination of salty (from the sardines and anchovies), sweet (from the raisins), and aromatic (from the wild fennel and saffron) flavors. We make this easy by using Cuoco Condimento which is specifically made for Pasta con Sarde. It is made with all the seasonings for this traditional Sicilian dish. It has fennel, Sardines, Raisins, Onions, Oil and Spices already in it saving you tons of prep, time, and cleaning!

Sawdust Pasta

This version of St. Joseph pasta is popular in the Puglia region! “Sawdust pasta” is a common nickname for a traditional St. Joseph’s Day pasta dish, and it refers to the toasted breadcrumbs that are a key component. St. Joseph was a carpenter, and the toasted breadcrumbs are said to resemble sawdust. This is a symbolic way of honoring his profession

The main components of this dish are

• Long Cuts of Pasta like mafaldine or bucatini which are to resemble wooden plans
• Anchovies for flavor
• Toasted Breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture and the St. Joseph symbolism
• Red Pepper Flakes for a little spice if you want
• Fresh Parsley for fresh herbs

This is a very simple dish with a lot of flavor and a lot of meaning!

Want to try them out? We have recipes for both dishes! Get both recipes here

St. Joseph’s Pasta is more than just a recipe; it’s a story, a tradition, and a reminder of the power of faith and gratitude. So, the next time you’re looking for a comforting and meaningful meal, consider giving this humble hero of Italian cuisine a try. You might just find yourself creating a new tradition of your own.

Feeding Families and Their Traditions from Generation to Generation