I hope you enjoy this special Thanksgiving Eve edition of The Spaghetti Diaries.
I’m not usually a midnight snacker or a late-night writer, but tonight is an exception. It’s 2:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, the day before Thanksgiving in America. I’m having a cup of green tea and trying to hide the remains of a box of frosted blueberry Pop-Tarts that I just annihilated.
I’m dealing with my fourth occurrence of COVID this week. The Pop-Tarts are a well-earned treat to soothe the COVID sleeplessness and mental horseplay that’s happening in my head. Happy Thanksgiving everyone with a COVID twist.
After almost three years of COVID, it still has the ability to bring us to our lowest common denominator. It’s Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. My needs are simple: food, water, shelter, bathroom, Pop-Tarts, and of course my dog, Sofia.
Most Europeans (except the French, surprisingly) are unfamiliar with Pop-Tarts. They are the penultimate in American cibo spazzatura, or as the Italians call junk food. They are decorated with beautiful colors that may have been banned in Europe. There is a fruity filling of high-fructose corn syrup (also limited in Europe). And finally, that artificial fruit flavoring (yup, probably banned in Europe) that takes me right back to my childhood in the 70s.
Pop-Tarts were never a permanent fixture in our house. However, sometimes my mother would splurge and buy a box to share among the three of us. Back then, there were three individually wrapped packages of two tarts. I realized that now each box has four wrapped packages. Although, these tarts were noticeably smaller. So much for inflationary pressure.
Pop-Tarts are exactly what I need tonight to cure the pre-Thanksgiving COVID blues. I’m thankful that my friends, Karen and Dan, included them in a care package several months ago. I’m not sure they realized how important they would be tonight. They connect me to something comfortable and soothing.
Sleepless and nostalgic
It seems strange to say this, but this little midnight buffet makes me nostalgic for all those Thanksgivings that have passed before me. I’m thinking of Thanksgiving Eves when the house smelled of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and something usually burning in the oven. Why isn’t there Burnt Pumpkin Spice latte at Starbucks? Did anyone have that kind of Thanksgiving aroma?
I can’t count how many people have asked me, “How do the Italians celebrate Thanksgiving?” The answer is simple. They don’t. It’s not an event here.
Of course, there are transplants from America desperately trying to get their hands on a turkey, sweet potatoes, and cranberries (tacchino, patate dolce/patate americane, and mirtilli rossi) this week, but they are not a common food in Italy. One has to endure quite a shopping adventure if they wish to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for their Italian friends in Italy.
In Italy, there is no day to recognize Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, Wampanoag Indians, or the Mayflower. You have to look back much further than 1620 to get to the events that would trigger a similar event for the Italians. In fact, it was 2300 years before the Mayflower landed when Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus, around 700 BC.
What would the Italians think of that food?
In my sleepy but nostalgic state tonight, I chuckle at the thought of what Italians would think of sitting down to a Thanksgiving meal in America. I think it would surprise them at the sheer amount of planning and effort that goes into such an occasion, culminating in a feast that would likely put any Italian into a food coma. Yes, the Italians like to eat, but there are no comparisons to a Thanksgiving in America.
I also thing the crazy combination of flavors would be too much for most Italians. Remember, most Italians choose not to mix onions and garlic for fear of competing flavors. Imagine the impact of a green-bean casserole on their taste buds.
A friend of mine from South Africa moved to Texas a few years ago for work. After his first Thanksgiving in America, he wrote to tell me how astounded he was by the sheer magnitude of the meal. He had no idea of what was in store for him at a Texas-sized Thanksgiving. Needless to say, he appreciated every morsel.
Thankful for all the perspective
It’s late. I’ll keep this simple, before COVID knocks me back to bed.
It took me a long time to realize that I am grateful for my entire life experience. I can’t piecemeal gratitude. It all matters.
I’m thankful for today, yesterday, and what is yet to come.
I am thankful for my childhood, no matter how tortured it was, with the occasional Pop-Tarts and the smell of something burning in the oven on Thanksgiving Eve.
I am thankful for all of my years in California where we hosted countless Thanksgiving dinners at our home for friends and family.
I am thankful for my life in Italy, and my never-ending resilience to live life with a very big question mark about what will happen next.
I am thankful for the moments of splendor and the moments of pain that made me appreciate all that is.
I am thankful for my little space in the world that in this moment is safe and secure from all the tragedy that is happening to so many people across the world.
But most of all, I am thankful for my family, friends, and readers who continue to correspond with me to maintain a connection between our lives and what matters most.
Wherever the world may find you, I hope you find gratefulness.
Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoyed my midnight musings on the eve of Thanksgiving in America. If you missed my last blog, it’s here. It’s a beautiful tribute to a couple in North Carolina who, uncannily, have a blueberry farm. If you wish to follow along, please subscribe below with your email.
Beautiful, cara Luke! And a very happy Thanksgiving to you, and Sofia, with love from Paris xx and I hope the lurg leaves you soon – keep on taking the Pop-Tarts!
Bellezza! Grazie! Thank you for your warm thoughts wrapped in a Parisian hug! I’m feeling much better now, perhaps my writing purged me of more than just a month’s worth of thoughts. It’s always a healing experience. Be well..XOXO
Love ya Luke! I hope you are on the mend. This was the first Thanksgiving I had away from my family. I had a little face refresh. 😂 I am a LOVER of Pop Tarts and my only complaint is the lack of frosting on them now.
Happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully your COVID symptoms pass quickly. Enjoy your Pop Tarts. Blueberry (frosted) are my favorite. 🙂
Thank you, John! I’m turning a corner and feeling much better today! I’m glad we share a secret admiration for those frosted blueberry sins. I appreciate your comments and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Happy Thanksgiving my dear friend! Wishing you were sitting around my table this year, but you know you would have to share those pop-tarts with me! 😂
Cheers to Thanksgiving past and all memories that you still can feel, smell and see! Thank you for taking us on the journey with you. And cheers to making new memories in your corner of the world with new traditions. So grateful for you and for the smiles you bring! Xoxo Feel better soon!!
Happy Thanksgiving. I know that table of yours will be filled with love, happiness, and thoughts of one Italian/american in Rome. That means everything! So grateful for you and your wonderful circle of family and friends. Be well! See you in May…I have exactly two Pop-Tarts left…and I’ll keep one for you! I think the shelf-life is at least another year or two.
Words can’t describe my gratefulness for having you in my life!! Thanks for all the memories of Thanksgivings past snd thanks for always being there. I will always have a seat at the table for you, literally and figuratively. You are my rock, stay strong and get well soon. ❤️❤️
Thank you big sis!! We are grateful for each other! Thanks for rocking the Rome experience the last several weeks. Hai fatto la brava! Non vedo l’ora di vederti di nuovo! Buona festa del Ringraziamento!
Hey guuuurl❤️ happy thanksgiving to you and yours’
I have been thinking about you and all of our past Thanksgivings and what a blessing those times were and still are. We had such special times that fill us our hearts and soul with love, happiness and memories. Miss you and I hope you feel better soon. I am also sick with something (cold, flu, Covid?). HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Thank you Linda! We were so very very lucky to have all those years to celebrate together. I miss you and love you and hope you recovery quickly. I’m on the mend and feeling almost 100%. Have a wonderful, restful, and long weekend! XOXO
You cheeky bugger, got me laughing through tears. Can’t believe you’re down w/the Vid yet again, get in the pink soon please. I’m glad those Pop Tarts brought some love and comfort. When I shipped the package, the UPS lady made me unpack and rewrap the box, she looked me in the eye and said “he must be a good friend”. In response I said simply,
“he is”. Those were Halcyon days in your CA home during the holidays, I only hope we appreciated it enough. I take stock of gratitude during this time too, knowing, loving, you is way high on the list, you feel like family, specially chosen for own selfish selves, cuz we are better for it. I’m not the only one in my clan who feels this way about you. ♥️🥬🥒🫒🍋🍊🥕🍠🥔🧅🧀🥧🍷🥃🥖🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧄🍽️
I thought you would appreciate it. You saved me a sleepless night and an empty belly! How many Pop-Tarts have travelled across the Atlantic..to anticipatory souls all around Europe. I left out the my special request for Metamucil…but just as important as Pop-Tarts. AHAHAH!
You two are truly special in my life, as well as those beautiful daughters! And of course, the entire clan are always in my heart…my Chicago Scottish family! Love you to the moon and back my friend! I look forward to sharing pizza again soon! ♥️🍷🥃🍽️
Hi Lucca,
I hope your COVID symptoms pass quickly. Iam sure the combo of green tea and pop tarts have some special medicinal value! Keep the gratitude flowing because you have so much to be grateful for. And Iam grateful for you my friend.
Made me smile to think of Italians thinking a Thanksgiving meal would be too much food. This full blooded Italian is in a self induced coma that day after!
Take good care. Love u!😘
I’m on the mend my dear friend! Thank you. Sending lots of grateful love to you Gina! Yes..those Pop-Tarts chemically burned out anything COVID related..I’m sure of it!
I’m always astonished at the simplicity of holiday meals here..brodo con tortellini, lenticchie, very simple things! When did meals get so complicated? 🙂
I hope you are enjoying a beautiful holiday weekend in Napa..I’ll be reaching out soon! We’re overdue for a chat! Much love to you, Gina and the pups! XOXO
On days of nostalgia, know that you are equally missed!! I look forward to a time when we can reconnect and catch up. I miss you!!
Hello there! Yes! I found you. Oh those nostalgic moments. I hope you are enjoying the season that gives (and takes). I sent you a message with my details. Would love to catch up! Be well and thanks for your note.
You had me at Pop Tarts. I can’t tell you how many times I wake up late at night to the smell of Pop Tarts…Mike is downstairs having a snack! Great minds think alike! haha! This post got lost in my email, so I hope you got over the virus by now. It sucks. I am so happy for you and the life you are living…I admire your adventurous spirit! Love and miss you!
There are few aromas as recognizable as a Pop Tart caramelizing in the toaster at midnight as its fruit filling becomes molten iron on the tongue. 😂😂😂. Thank you. I’m healed and ready for 2024. Sending you and Mike all my love and wishes for continued blessings. ❤️
Hello Luke ! Just came across your blog, for the first time, and couldn’t resist reading about the Pop Tarts! I recently visited the Disgusting Food Museum in Sweden, and as an American, was proud to see the American entries….a box of Twinkies and Pop Tarts! Twinkies made the cut for their freakishly long shelf life…which was described as “Unnatural”…. and Pop Tarts faired only slightly better, for the same reason, but they admitted they tasted GOOD! I had to laugh. The rest of the place was filled with truly disgusting things from around the world….none you would tempted to try. …..although, oddly enough, there is a taste testing “contest” of sorts at the end of the tour, to win prizes.—if you dare. (Alas, Pop Tarts and Twinkies were NOT part of that contest. )
Welcome Daniel! I am happy you found me. Ok, the Disgusting Food Museum. When I was in Stockholm, I obviously missed a landmark. How funny! And to see Twinkies and PopTarts front and center, makes me laugh.
Let’s face it, if the apocalypse happens, there will be Twinkies and Pop Tarts rationed in the end. I’m sure of it! I still have a soft spot for Pop Tarts right out of the box, all 370 calories of them. However, over time, my taste buds have adapted to Italy and France. Twinkie’s and Dong Dongs haven’t made the schlep across the Atlantic in the last seven years. 🤭🤭🤭…yet.
Thanks for following along and I hope you enjoyed the read. Be well.