Lasagna originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of north central Italy. The wide, flat sheets of pasta were originally made by the Romans, who called them laganum. The word comes from lasanum, the Latin word for pot, i.e., the vessel in which this dish was baked. Lasagna later came to refer to the specific layered-type baked dish we know today, with the long flat, pasta sheets alternating with minced meat, cheese and tomatoes. The Romans lacked tomatoes, which originated in Peru and did not come to Italy until the Spanish Conquistadors brought them back from Mexico in the early 16th century. The modern lasagna noodle is two inches wide, and sometimes has ruffled edges. The most popular cheeses in lasagna recipes are mozzarella and ricotta and the sauce is often tomato sauce. So roll up your sleeves and make a lasanum ... then enjoy! ~ Chef ~ Friday, July 29, 2011
~ National Lasagna Day ~
Lasagna originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of north central Italy. The wide, flat sheets of pasta were originally made by the Romans, who called them laganum. The word comes from lasanum, the Latin word for pot, i.e., the vessel in which this dish was baked. Lasagna later came to refer to the specific layered-type baked dish we know today, with the long flat, pasta sheets alternating with minced meat, cheese and tomatoes. The Romans lacked tomatoes, which originated in Peru and did not come to Italy until the Spanish Conquistadors brought them back from Mexico in the early 16th century. The modern lasagna noodle is two inches wide, and sometimes has ruffled edges. The most popular cheeses in lasagna recipes are mozzarella and ricotta and the sauce is often tomato sauce. So roll up your sleeves and make a lasanum ... then enjoy! ~ Chef ~ 
