Pre-reading questions:
- How are carbonara or similar pasta dishes typically prepared in your country or culture?
- What cuisines from other countries do you believe are popular among people in your country?
Vocabulary:
- vital /VAHYT-l/
- emerge /ih-MURJ/
- version /VUR-zhuhn/
- criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/
- debate /dih-BEYT/
[adjective] – necessary for the success or continued existence of something; extremely important
The oxygen was vital for the diver’s survival underwater.
[verb] – to come forth, appear, or become known
After the heavy storm, a new problem emerged when the city discovered extensive flooding in several neighborhoods.
[noun] – a particular form of something that is slightly different from other forms of the same thing
The vegetarian version of lasagna incorporates layers of vegetables and tofu, presenting a flavorful alternative to the traditional meat-based dish.
[noun] – disapproval or negative feedback directed at someone for their actions
The chef faced harsh criticism from traditionalists for altering the classic recipe.
[noun] – (a) serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part
The debate about climate change involved scientists, policymakers, and activists discussing potential solutions.
Article reading:
Luca Cesari, a respected food historian from Bologna, received backlash online for presenting what he claimed to be the original carbonara recipe on Instagram. His version, different from the traditional mix of Italian pecorino cheese and cured pork cheek, included Swiss gruyere cheese, garlic, bacon, and scrambled eggs. Cesari defended his choice by referring to a recipe published nearly 70 years ago, aiming to demonstrate the recipe’s evolution. He remade the 1954 carbonara, the first featured in ‘Cucina Italiana’ magazine, stating it was not his fault if that was the recognized recipe then. Supported by Alberto Grandi, another historian challenging Italian culinary traditions, Cesari faced criticism labeled “gastronationalism.” This debate extends beyond carbonara to disapproved culinary changes like pasta with ketchup, pineapple on pizza, and the unspoken rule against ordering cappuccino post-lunch. Despite controversy, Cesari plans to create more culinary content, including a video exploring the historical Neapolitan pizza with clams from the 1800s.
Comprehension questions
- What food item sparked controversy in Italy recently?
- Who is Luca Cesari, and why did he receive criticism online?
- How did Cesari’s version of the carbonara sauce differ from the traditional recipe?
- Why did Cesari refer to a recipe published 70 years ago when defending his choice of ingredients?
- Besides the controversy about carbonara, what other culinary changes were mentioned in the article?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever encountered a situation where someone challenged a traditional recipe or culinary practice? If so, could you share that experience? If not, do you think such challenges to culinary traditions are common?
- Have you ever seen people argue about how to cook cultural dishes? If so, why did they disagree? If not, why do you think some cultures argue about recipes more than others?
- Do you think historical authenticity in recipes matters?
- How does mixing different cooking styles and ingredients affect a culture’s identity?
- How important do you think it is to preserve traditional cooking methods or recipes in a culture’s cuisine?