Part 7/10:
Interestingly, pasta’s presence in the New World was first marked by Spanish settlers, but it was Thomas Jefferson who popularized it in America after experiencing a taste for macaroni in France. Although pasta struggled to gain traction initially, it exploded in popularity during the 19th century, thanks in large part to the influx of Italian immigrants who brought authentic recipes and traditions.
The iconic American dish of spaghetti and meatballs is a fascinating example of Italian-American cuisine, as it is virtually non-existent in traditional Italian culture. Instead, spaghetti and meatballs emerged from immigrants adapting their recipes to local ingredients, with published recipes appearing in the late 19th century.