The tragedy of the last week’s earthquake in Italy will not soon be forgotten. The small town of Amatrice was one of the most impacted. While the scars of the devastation, loss of lives and injuries will long remain, there is pride in a global restaurant movement to celebrate the heritage of Amatrice, the namesake of one of Italy’s best comfort foods, Bucatini all’ Amatriciana, while raising money to donate for the victims through the celebration and enjoyment of this delicious pasta dish.
As a tribute to the town of Amatrice, and all of those impacted by the quake, we thought of this this video we took on a recent trip to Rome. Each time we are in Rome we stop by Trattoria Vecchia Roma for their delicious Bucatini Amatriciana Flambé, a specialty of this establishment that has been in business since 1916. They add a bit of a flourish that not all restaurants do: they flambé a hollowed-out wheel of pecorino to melt the cheese, then add the piping hot bucatini (long tube shaped pasta), swirling to coat it with the melted pecorino, creating the most mouthwatering Amatriciana ever.
Click here for a recipe for Bucatini all’Amatriciana.
If you would like more information about how to help or donate to help the earthquake victims please contact Italian American Relief or the Red Cross.
Photo credit: Massimo Percossi/ANSA via AP
