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ROUSES.COM
23
Pasta Milanese
with Bread Crumb Sawdust
by Gaetana “Tina” Giammancherrie’s
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
¼
cup Rouse extra virgin olive oil
2
medium white or yellow onions, diced
1
bulb fennel, diced
2
garlic cloves, minced
4
anchovy fillets
28 ounce can of San Marzano tomatoes
2
(14½) ounce cans diced tomatoes
1
tablespoon sugar
¼
cup tomato paste
1
teaspoon fennel seed toasted, ground
4
large fresh basil leaves, torn
1
teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1
tablespoon Rouse Creole spices
½
teaspoon oregano
1
pound spaghetti, cooked
HOW TO PREP
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil, add onions and fennel, cook until browned
and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, then stir in the anchovies.
Cook for two minutes. Using a fork, lightly crush San Marzano tomatoes, then
add them and diced tomatoes to saucepan. Add the sugar, tomato paste and
spices. Simmer sauce for one hour, stirring occasionally. In a large pot, cook the
spaghetti. When it is done, remove one cup of water and drain. Add half of the
sauce to the spaghetti and mix. If the sauce is thicker than you like, add the
reserved pasta water until you get the desired consistency. Pour spaghetti into
a large serving dish or individual bowls, ladle additional sauce on top. Sprinkle
with St. Joseph’s Day sawdust just before serving.
As a kid, I went to St. Joseph Elementary, a Catholic
K-7 in Thibodaux. One of my most vivid memories
of early years was walking to a neighborhood house
that displayed a St. Joseph’s Altar for St. Joseph’s
Day in March. I remember candles, flowers, beans,
and SO much food.
It was a special treat for me, and for my family and
our team as well, to honor this tradition by hosting
our own altars in four stores last year. I was so
excited to hear all the positive feedback from our
customers and neighbors, and from local church
groups. I reached out to some of our area priests,
and to my surprise no less than Archbishop
Aymond came out to bless one of our altars! It
was such a nice blessing and I was very happy to
meet such an inspiring man who does such great
work for our community.
—Ali Rouse Royster
Because Saint Joseph’s Day
always occurs during Lent, only meatless
dishes are prepared. Much of the food
includes “sawdust”, or bread crumbs, to
honor Saint Joseph, the carpenter. The
“lucky beans” are also a mainstay on the
Saint Joseph’s Altar.
RECIPE,
try me!
Ali with Archbishop Aymond at the Rouses St. Joseph Altar.
photo by
Frank Aymami