Novel Food #14: Pappanozza

November 13, 2011 | Filed Under Food Blogging Events, Italian Recipes, Novel Food | 16 Comments 

“Adelina had made pappanozza for him.  Onions and potatoes boiled a long time and mashed with the back of a fork until they blend together.  Seasoning:  olive oil, a hint of vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.  It was all he ate.  He wanted to keep to light food.”

August Heat by Andrea Camilleri ( Chapter 8 )

An Inspector Montalbano Mystery

Pappanozza.   I like this Italian Sicilian word.   I like the way it sounds – fun.    I like the way it rolls off my tongue –  Pap-PA-noz -za.  Pap-Pa-noz-za!

I’ve been reading the Inspector Montalbano mystery series by Andrea Camilleri.  Inspector Salvo Montalbano is not only good at his job of solving mysteries, but he knows how to appreciate his food – whether it’s simply or elaborately prepared.  I first learned about this sharp Sicilian inspector from Simona, when she featured his stories on her blog.  After reading the first book, I became hooked and fell in love with the Inspector.  I enjoy not only the mysteries, but the characters, foods, and romance mentioned in the stories.  You can read more about Salvo Montalbano HERE. 

The passage about pappanozza, practically had me salivating, when I first read it.  I love the simplicity with which the food is described and the plainness of the ingredients involved, and the way it’s prepared.  The description inspired me to make my own pappanozza.

After I peeled, cut, and boiled 4 large potatoes and 6 yellow onions (normally I like to use red onions but didn’t have them), I added olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to the mixture.   Tasty!   I’d used a good quality olive oil, which enhanced the taste of the potatoes.   I was able to detect the hint of the vinegar, which also made a difference in the taste of the potato/onion mix.   I love simple things.  This was nothing fancy, yet it tasted delicious.  Like Inspector Montalbano, that is all I ate.  I, too, wanted to keep to light food.   It was perfect. 

This is my contribution for Novel Food, which Simona of Briciole is hosting.  After Sunday, you will find a list of others who have participated with their contributions of good books and tasty recipes on her site.  Thanks, Simona, for hosting this fun event and introducing me to the Inspector!

Paz   

Ed. Note:  You can find the roundup of Novel Food contributions HERE.