“Kristen”
Whole Grain Spelt Cavatelli with Braised Greens
Teresa: Tell us about your meal and why you chose it.
Kristen: A whole grain cavatelli with braised greens. Though I’m not Italian at all, I grew up in a pretty tight-knit Italian-American community, and the cuisine has always reminded me of home. For years, my friends and our parents would get together and spend an entire day hand rolling delicious and pillowy cavatelli - enough to completely cover the tops of tables - before feasting. I loved the rhythmic motions and feel of the dough, and the sense of community that came from a day spent with loved ones engaged in the act of creating something to be enjoyed by all.
I didn’t start making pasta again until last year, and I’m still amazed by every shape and technique encountered, I wanted to make something that would be easy to recreate at home with pantry staples, or lend itself well to modifications.
Teresa: Where were you born?
Kristen: Connecticut, not too far.
Teresa: Favorite artists/bands?
Kristen: The current rotation really does change like the weather, but - most consistent favorites are probably Tom Waits and Nick Cave. At the present moment though, I’ve been listening to a lot of Godspeed! You Black Emperor.
Teresa: What are your hobbies?
Kristen: I love reading, learning, making things with my hands, browsing farmers markets, and overall just keeping as loose of a schedule as I can to allow myself time to recharge - something I hadn’t really begun prioritizing until this past year. I’m always trying to think of ways to live smaller and more sustainably, and support people in my community here in New York.
