Pasta Nostra
Last night I went to South Norwalk’s Pasta Nostra and had a wonderful meal. Everything on the menu is fresh and homemade. I had the stuffed peppers to start which is the Pasta Nostra signature appetizer. For my main dish I had the delicious spiral sausage with a side of fresh linguini which had the nicest tomato sauce that was not heavy at all. The fresh linguini melts in your mouth and the spiral sausage has the just the right amount of flavor. I wouldn’t change a thing. The dessert was a delicious coconut slice of cake/pie goo that was like eating a mounds bar, but only better. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the bread was outstanding. I couldn’t help but dip the delicious bread in the olive oil. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. My server, Jose, has been with the restaurant for almost 19 years. Owner and Chef Joe Bruno makes sure to come to everyone’s table to chat. Bruno is friendly, funny and full of great stories. Pasta Nostra is a bit pricey, but worth it.
Pasta Nostra
South Norwalk
116 Washington Street (Between Main and Water Streets)
Norwalk, CT 06854
203-854-9700
Owner Joe Bruno
Feast of Saint John The Baptist June 24th
One of the many unique things that we could say in describing St. John the Baptist is that he is truly the "Saint of Summer." Saint John the Baptist is one of the most important saints. Other than the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, John the Baptist is the only saint who is honored on the Church calendar with more than one Feast Day (the other is August 29th, the day of his martyrdom). As we can see, both these Feast Days occur at the opposite ends of the Summer season. John the Baptist saw and lived very clearly his purpose in life and carried it out in the midst of challenges. He had two important qualities of his life that should inspire us each day.These two qualities are humility and a sense of purpose.
Son of Elizabeth and Zacharias, both already advanced in years and childless, John was born about 6 months before Jesus. This birth had been announced by the archangel Gabriel to Zacharias, who was struck dumb by the message. 8 days after the birth, having to be circumcised, the child needed a name, and Zacharias succeeded in writing “John,” following indications of the angel; his tongue loosened in the hymn of the Benedictus. In representations of the birth o the Baptist, Mary is usually also present, assist her cousin Elizabeth, while Zacharias is most often shown in the act of writing. The name John is from a Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is gracious.”
This is a great feast of June that is common to countries and has been celebrated since early times, is the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, also known as Midsummer. In lots of places bonfires are lighted in honor of Saint John. This day is to celebrate the summer solstice. In Ireland and in England these bonfires had their origin in the Druidic fires lighted in honor of the god of the sacred wood. Today they are known as the Fires of Saint John although a few pagan customs remain in connection with the celebration.
In France the bonfires are built as close as possible to one of Saint John’s own chapels. It is important to have a boy named Jean or a girl named Jeanne provides a wreath to throw into the fire. When vesper services are over the priest kindles the blaze and the evening begins with singing and dancing which will last far into the night.
In Mexico Saint John’s feast is a big affair. Saint John is the Mexicans dearly beloved saint, especially the saint of the waters. On this day wells and fountains are decorated bright with ribbons and flowers. At midnight on the eve, everyone bathes: in the country in lakes or pools or rivers; in large cities the festivities center around the fashionable bath houses where swimming contests and exhibitions of diving skill take place.
Saint John’s Day in Mexico is definitely also a day of feasting. Everyone brings food to the bathing places. Cakes, sweets, chicken tamales, stuffed peppers, pork tacos and empanadas.
