659376 Wed Oct 14 08:56:19 -0700 2009 6 33 Food Media and News 0 5102346 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/dining/14ency.html?ref=dining Interesting article about the new book “Encyclopedia of Pasta” which is translated by chow member mbfant. Wed Oct 14 08:56:19 -0700 2009 10195 KTinNYC 1 5104417 Thanks for posting this. It's an extraordinary book, and its author, Oretta Zanini De Vita, is an extraordinary woman. She traveled all through Italy talking to old people and digging in archives and wound up with more than 300 pasta shapes and their variations. The index of pasta names -- many pastas having more than one -- numbers close to 1400. Wed Oct 14 23:15:28 -0700 2009 5102346 83777 mbfant 2 5104796 I look forward to reading the book. The author sounds like quite a character. I particuliarly like he reason for not using cheese on fish, ' "There’s no logical explanation,” Ms. Zanini De Vita said. It’s pure habit, she added. “It’s in our spiritual formation." ' Thu Oct 15 06:31:23 -0700 2009 5104417 10195 KTinNYC 3 5150964 On one of my first trips to NYC, in the 80's, I was at a tiny italian restaurant, and I had order some seafood pasta dish, and I asked for parmesan. I'll never forget the waiter's look of disdain when he said, 'the cheese and the fish is not done', in a NY Little Italy accent. Looks like a great book! Mon Nov 02 19:37:42 -0800 2009 5104796 124908 jeanmarieok 1 5148757 We have this book and it is fascinating. Not a picture book like some may expect; it is truly an encyclopedia of information. Very hardcore. I believe the English translator is a frequent poster here. Mon Nov 02 07:48:15 -0800 2009 5102346 1121027 ttoommyy 1 5153501 Does the book include recipes for pasta sauces? Tue Nov 03 16:27:58 -0800 2009 5102346 18705 emily 2 5154889 It has a few if I remember correctly. Not a recipe book by any means though. The best I can compare it to is a text book. The author takes the material very seriously and it shows. Wed Nov 04 08:19:36 -0800 2009 5153501 1121027 ttoommyy