YES, It sure is!!! National Spaghetti Day is celebrated every January 4th by Americans every year. I certainly had no idea, BUT I love traditions, especially cultural ones that give you a reason to celebrate just for the Hell of it! All Month long, I will be celebrating these so-called National “food/drink” Days….Stay Tuned!!
A little bit about the history of Spaghetti, it can be traced back to the 1st century and is now believed that pasta was invented in Asia thousands of years ago and made its way into Sicily in the 8th Century. Pasta was a popular commodity among the poor and was experimented by cooks in Italy for generations. It would eventually become a popular dish for those in the middle class.
In the 18th Century, Thomas Jefferson made macaroni popular in the United States, but it was the Italian immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries that brought this special pasta to the states. Spaghetti is a popular dish an enjoyed by millions daily…. NO ONE knows how this day came about, but I wanted to celebrate it and with that being said I decided to add my unique blend of flavors to this fantastic invention with heart healthy and fibrous foods….Enjoy!!!
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- 1 Lb. Barilla Gluten-Free or Multigrain Spaghetti http://www.barilla.com
- 3 Tablespoons Felippo Berio Olive Oil Olive oil helps decrease the total cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels
- 4 Cloves of Chopped Garlic These conditions include high blood pressure, low blood pressure, high cholesterol, inherited high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries, and "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis).
- 10 Sliced Asparagus Stalks Health benefits. Asparagus is good for your ticker in a variety of ways. ... Asparagus also has more than 1 gram of soluble fiber per cup, which lowers the risk of heart disease, and the amino acid asparagine helps flush your body of excess salt.
- 2 Sliced Zucchini Zucchini is also a wonderful source of potassium, a heart-friendly nutrient that helps moderate your blood pressure levels and counters the effects of too much sodium.
- 1.5 Cups Low Fat Ricotta
- 1/4 Fresh Lemon, thinly sliced into quarters Research has shown that eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- 15-20 Grinds Fresh Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley Parsley helps prevent heart disease by preventing blood vessels from oxidative damage.
Ingredients
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- First, start your pot of water for your spaghetti.
- Next, add your chopped/sliced veggies, 4-5 lemon wedges, salt and pepper, and olive oil to a skillet and saute over a low heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Then, add your ricotta and parsley to the skillet and keep on a low heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Add your cooked spaghetti to your veggies and ricotta, add shaved Parmesan, parsley, and lemon zest, and drizzle some olive oil and mix and serve...This dish is light and super healthy....Happy National Spaghetti Day Friends!!!
If you have a sour lemon, I would only use a couple slices and remove upon serving.