National Lasagna Day

National Lasagna Day brings together all lovers of this hearty and incredibly tasty dish. You don’t have to be Italian to join the celebration; just go to a restaurant or cook your own lasagna, it does not take many ingredients – meat, vegetables, cheese, tomato sauce, and a special variety of pasta.

The History

Quite rightly, lasagna is called an Italian dish, since it appeared in Naples, from where it came to America in the 19^th century. However, its history began much earlier. The word lasagna comes from the ancient Greek – laganon – as the first pasta was called in ancient Greece.

Laganon and lasagna had nothing in common, but the cooking principle resembled the modern one – the pasta was smeared with sauce, laid out in layers and baked. The Italians added ingredients that made luxurious lasagna out of ordinary pasta. Also, a similar dish was prepared in ancient Rome called  lasanum. The name does not mean a set of ingredients or a type of pasta, but the dishes in which the food was served and how it was prepared.

Interesting Facts

• In different parts of Italy, different varieties of pasta are used. In the southern regions it is wavy, and in the northern ones, flat.
• Every Italian family has a personal recipe for lasagna, passed down for generations.
• Eggs were not added to dough until the Renaissance, and tomatoes didn’t appear in the recipe until the late 19th century, when layered lasagna became popular, first made by Francesco Zambrini, who lived in Bologna.
• You can use the dishwasher to prepare lasagna. Gather the necessary ingredients, fix the container and activate the ‘Drying’ function.

How to take part

Visit an Italian restaurant and order a slice of traditional lasagna. If you like culinary experiments, cook the dish yourself and use your favorite ingredients, including additional spices and vegetables. Keep in mind that wine pairs best with the dish. Organize a competition on social networks for the most interesting recipe.

When is National Lasagna Day celebrated in 2024?

National Lasagna Day is observed on July 29 each year.

Observations