Oh what I would give to get those Nabisco wafers back! I still don't get why they took them out of circulation. Thanks for letting me wax nostalgic about pastina, Jolene. I have a feeling I'll be eating LOTS of it for the foreseeable future xo
Stoned Wheat Thins--my momma's fave crackers--are now gone. For many months now, she's had the end of one sleeve, carefully triple-wrapped. She no longer shares them with me :) I believe there are two left.
This is very sad news. Stoned Wheat Thins formed a significant part of my lunch and picnics with friends for decades. “SWTs” my friends and I reverently called them. Nothing can take their place.
I really couldn’t resist after seeing the absolute glow in my teachers eyes as she told me about it. Just after that someone on substack wrote about it too and I can’t recall who!
Funny just recently I was thinking about Pastina myself and about with comforting food. It was in my childhood too. My mom always made it for dinner. If you were feeling under the weather or had stayed home from school.
I grew up eating this! it was the food my mom made when one of us was sick or stayed home from school. I made it for my kids and occasionally snuck some spinach in for good measure! What happy memories this article brings!
I love Pastina! Haven’t had it for ages as disappeared off the shelves and the Swiss equivalents were yuck. My son used to always make it for himself after school, “pasta soup”. Definitely comfort food. I’ll have to see if I can find some agsin.
I’m not someone who experienced the joys of pastina- as a kid or otherwise. Still, I can appreciate the wistfulness of food memory and the comfort of past joys. I’m happy for all pastina lovers the stars have made a triumphant return. ⭐️
I’m newer to pastina love and have tried a couple different packages from my local Italian market, which stocks several varieties. I’m curious as to whether there is something materially different and better about the Ronzoni variety or if it’s just youth memories plus package nostalgia.
Hi Mike, it’s a combination (for me, anyway:) I love how delicate the stars are, and, therefore, with cheese or butter or in broth, they just kind of melt in your mouth. And, of course, the nostalgia. What shapes/brands have you been trying?
A bowl of comfort—just what the doctor ordered! Thanks for this, Jolene and Domenica! I’m so glad they brought Pastina back. Sad about Nabisco Chocolate Wafers and Stoned Wheat Thins though! It’s like losing old friends you thought would always be there.
Oh what I would give to get those Nabisco wafers back! I still don't get why they took them out of circulation. Thanks for letting me wax nostalgic about pastina, Jolene. I have a feeling I'll be eating LOTS of it for the foreseeable future xo
I don’t either! And, oh, how I love an ice box cake! Thank YOU so much, Domenica, for sharing your memories and recipes! XO
Stoned Wheat Thins--my momma's fave crackers--are now gone. For many months now, she's had the end of one sleeve, carefully triple-wrapped. She no longer shares them with me :) I believe there are two left.
An era. Gone.
I didn’t know about stoned wheat thins, and how sweet and tender the way your mom is rationing them, I wish she didn’t have to! xx
This is very sad news. Stoned Wheat Thins formed a significant part of my lunch and picnics with friends for decades. “SWTs” my friends and I reverently called them. Nothing can take their place.
Oh no! I have been searching for these for a while; now I know. 😢
Sorry to be the bearer... :(
What!
Why are they getting rid of all our favorites.
I don’t get it either!
The very best comfort food! I really enjoyed reading this.
I make it for any meal if I’m feeling low or off—and the one time I had covid it was all I wanted.
My mom served it with butter and parm and sometimes a little milk, mostly for breakfast.
I have a friend who eats it every morning for breakfast with the egg cooked in.
And my Italian teacher introduced me to burying a “formaggino” in the center of a hot bowl, which is a fun treat too (I used a little Bel Paese!).
Thank you so much, Gabrielle! I’m definitely going to try the “formaggino”! 🌟
I really couldn’t resist after seeing the absolute glow in my teachers eyes as she told me about it. Just after that someone on substack wrote about it too and I can’t recall who!
I’ll let you know when I make it! ✨
I’ve never had pastina! Feels like such a perfect childhood comfort food. Can’t wait to try it 😋
I think you’d love it, Sabrina! I thought of you when I was photographing, all the dishes, napkins — and pastina boxes— were shades of blue! 💙 🩵
I love that I’m a colorful reminder in your delicious endeavors! 😊
☺️
A good substitute for a morning bowl of oatmeal!
Absolutely, Vicki, the addition of the egg binds everything and makes it so creamy. 🥣
Not pastina. But my mom made us Lipton’s chicken noodle soup when we were ill. Noodles & broth. Still want it when I have a cold, flu, upset tummy.
We had that, too! The ones in the packet that you poured boiling water over?
Funny just recently I was thinking about Pastina myself and about with comforting food. It was in my childhood too. My mom always made it for dinner. If you were feeling under the weather or had stayed home from school.
Happy Birthday, Val!!! 🤗 ❤️✨
❤️❤️❤️
I grew up eating this! it was the food my mom made when one of us was sick or stayed home from school. I made it for my kids and occasionally snuck some spinach in for good measure! What happy memories this article brings!
Love the idea of sneaking the spinach in, Nick, that sounds good! And thank you for sharing your memory of the best remedy for childhood sick days! 😊
I’ve been eating a lot of pastina this winter - using tiny shells, homemade broth, and loads of Parm. So cozy and soothing!
SO cozy and soothing, Amy, I want a whole fleet of pastina shapes now! ☺️
I love Pastina! Haven’t had it for ages as disappeared off the shelves and the Swiss equivalents were yuck. My son used to always make it for himself after school, “pasta soup”. Definitely comfort food. I’ll have to see if I can find some agsin.
That’s so sweet, Francesca, “pasta soup” — if you can’t find in store, it’s available online, so glad it’s back! 🌟
Delicious!!! 😍 now I want pastina for breakfast!
So great, Jenovia! xx
I’m not someone who experienced the joys of pastina- as a kid or otherwise. Still, I can appreciate the wistfulness of food memory and the comfort of past joys. I’m happy for all pastina lovers the stars have made a triumphant return. ⭐️
This is such a sweet comment, Erin! 🌟 Also, Domenica’s pastina in Brodo is great using the Peppercorn shaped Pastina (and lots of parmigiana:)
I will have to give it a try!
I was instantly warmed by reading this. Sometimes, the simplest things are best.
So true, my friend! 🌟
Immediately adding pastina to my grocery list! .
Yay! It’s so good and versatile, Liz!
I’m newer to pastina love and have tried a couple different packages from my local Italian market, which stocks several varieties. I’m curious as to whether there is something materially different and better about the Ronzoni variety or if it’s just youth memories plus package nostalgia.
Hi Mike, it’s a combination (for me, anyway:) I love how delicate the stars are, and, therefore, with cheese or butter or in broth, they just kind of melt in your mouth. And, of course, the nostalgia. What shapes/brands have you been trying?
Thank you, Jolene. I currently have this and like it very much. https://www.lamolisana.it/en/pasta/n-62-pasta-a-riso/
Thanks for the link, Mike, will check it out!
A bowl of comfort—just what the doctor ordered! Thanks for this, Jolene and Domenica! I’m so glad they brought Pastina back. Sad about Nabisco Chocolate Wafers and Stoned Wheat Thins though! It’s like losing old friends you thought would always be there.
I know! It’s like, even if I’m not eating them all the time, I like knowing these products are out there! Thanks, Ruth! 🤗