Paola Abraini is one of only three women left in the world who can make su filindeu. For hundreds of years, the technique required to make su filindeu has been handed down from one generation to the next. And now, Paola Abraini, her niece and sister-in-law are the only ones left to preserve and pass the knowledge to the next generation. For Paola Abraini, passing this culinary tradition to the next generation is no mean feat. Of her two daughters, only one knows the basics to making su filindeu and has neither the patience nor passion for it. Abraini’s daughters don’t have daughters of their own. The other two women in Abraini’s family haven’t found successors either.
Paola Abraini is concerned that the future may not know of su filindeu. Abraini has attempted to teach the girls from other families in Nuoro to make su filindeu but failed. The girls would see how demanding of time and effort making su filindeu is and not return the next day. Abraini has also tried to seek the local govenment’s help. She has requested to open a small school but was told that there’s no budget for such a project. Abraini has not given up yet and has made it her life’s mission to share su filindeu with the world.
Vocabulary:
hand down [phrasal verb] – pass something on to a younger person
preserve [verb] – protect; keep; maintain
culinary [adjective] – relating to cooking
no mean feat [idiom] – not easy to do
successor [noun] – a person or thing that comes after another
demanding [adjective] – needing a lot of time, attention, or energy
True or False:
- Penne is the rarest pasta in the world.
- Paola Abraini is the only person left who knows how to make the rarest pasta in the world.
- The culinary tradition of su filindeu has been in Abraini’s family for a few years.
- Paola Abraini has found a worth successor who can continue her family’s culinary tradition.
- Paola Abraini already gave up and accepted that the future will not know of su filindeu.
Express your opinion:
- How would you describe your country’s food?
- What is your favorite foreign cuisine? How is it different from your country’s cuisine?
- Share your thoughts on this quote: “To a hungry person, every bitter food is sweet.” ― Israelmore Ayivor
Defend your argument:
- Our eating and drinking habits have changed over the years.
- People care a lot about the presentation of food when served.
- Oriental food is better than Western food.
- People are becoming more and more concerned about where the food they eat come from.
- Every family has its own cooking tradition.