Earthquake in the Boot. The Heinz brand has just created canned carbonara pasta. The product, already out of stock, is causing a scandal in Italy, where the population is not short of words to condemn the product and defend their gastronomy.
After Hawaiian Pizza
Italian cuisine is one of the most popular in the world. Its signature dishes have been exported to the four corners of the globe for decades. But over time, the original recipes have been transformed and customized to please the local population. This is the case, for example, of pineapple pizza, called Hawaiian pizzaand invented by a Greek chef who lived in Canada.
Another hotly debated topic is crème fraîche in carbonara pasta. In France and many other countries around the world, linguine, spaghetti and other types of pasta are sometimes coated in cream, to which bacon is added, or even grated cheese for even more fat. A real heresy for our transalpine neighbors.
Canned carbo, for Gen- Z
But the release of a new recipe for carbonara pasta has caused a real earthquake in the Boot, and has even led politicians and chefs to speak out publicly. The American food brand Heinz has just released in the United Kingdom a can of spaghetti carbonara. Dubbed #NoDramaCarbonara, the recipe includes pancetta, skim milk, cheese powder, cornstarch, sugar, garlic flavoring, and onion and dried parsley extracts. No eggs, guanciale, or pecorino here.
The brand has opened up about its Gen-Z-targeted creation, and already out of stock. “Did you know that 32% of Gen Zers want their food to be both fast and convenient?”, claims Heinz on its website. “We understand that people are looking for convenient, easy-to-prepare meals. Our Spaghetti Carbonara offers just that. It's the perfect solution for a quick and satisfying meal at home,” continued Alessandra de Dreuille, Meals Director at Kraft Heinz UK.
It’s time for fuss-free Carbonara with zero drama ud83dudc85
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August 29, 2024
It's time for no-fuss, no-drama Carbonara ud83dudc85
NEW Spaghetti Carbonara, available to buy NOW at Heinz to Home and other stores starting mid-September ud83eudd29
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Italy is speaking out, “This dish is the end of civilization”
Several Italian personalities have spoken out against the product, which they consider to be an insult to Italian culinary art. “Italian cuisine is a serious matter. As Alberto Sordi would say in An American in Rome: We will feed the canned carbonara to the rats,”protested Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè on X. “This dish is the end of civilization” also commented Michelin-starred chef Alessandro Pipero. “Now they can it? It's a disgrace“, said Ciara Tassoni, manager of the Italian restaurant Bottega Prelibato “If someone came here and asked for a can of carbonara, they would be immediately thrown out”.
The media also picked up on the subject. On Vice, we can read: “Heinz insults the whole of Italy“. The same story from The Guardian. “The bosses are getting angry”. “The great horror of the Italians” can be read on The Telegraph.
La cucina italiana è a series cosa. Come direbbe Alberto Sordi in un Americano a Roma: “La carbonara in lattina la damo al sorcio” pic.twitter.com/5Szi13qhl4
August 30, 2024
Italian cuisine is serious business. As Alberto Sordi would say in Un Americano a Roma: « La carbonara in lattina la damo al sorcio. claims that Heinz “actually respects tradition”, recalling thatthe recipe was precisely invented in 1944 in cans to feed the allied army. Just like the INA, which brought out an archive from 1982, in which the dish is cooked using same ingredients as in the can.
And you? What do you think of this recipe? Do you plan to try it? Don't hesitate to share your point of view in the comments.