With so many magical varieties, Italians marinate in beans. Yes, they can transform your belly into a trombone, but just think of it as a nutritious musical horn section.
Italian dialects are so vast they can cause linguistic whiplash. Depending on the region it can be fagioli or it can be fasul, more commonly pronounced fazool (not to be confused with fanculo). They all mean the same – beans.
The wonderful thing about this dish, it can take on so many variations, ingredients and flavors. It can be a vegetarian soup. Saute pancetta and oh, my! It’s inexpensive to make and goes a long way.
It is quite simply the Swiss army knife of soups.
In celebration of October’s Italian Heritage month, the Council of Italian American Societies is hosting a cook off contest October 4, 6:30 p.m. at Tashua Knolls Country Club and Banquets, 40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull, with some of your favorite local restaurants such as Vazzy’s, Mario The Baker and Marianna’s Pantry participating.
Trumbull First Selectman Vicki Tesoro’s husband Tom is chairing the event at Tashua Knolls with no doubt an intrigued Parade Grand Marshal Elaine Ficarra putting her taste buds to mighty use. Tickets $45. Call Chris Caruso 203-362-9413.
No word if a flatulence contest will follow.
More details below:
As part of the Italian Heritage Celebration and in
loving memory of Joanna Leone,
The Council presents its first-ever …
Pasta e Fagioli Contest AKA “Fazool or Fagioli” – Let the People Decide!
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the Council of Italian American Societies of Greater Bridgeport’s (CIAS-GBPT) inaugural Pasta e Fagiol Competition, lovingly nicknamed: Is it Fazool or Fagioli? – Let the People Decide!
The Competition will be held on Friday, Oct. 4th at 6:30 p.m. at Tashua Knolls Country Club and Banquets, 40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull Connecticut.
The Competition is open to all restaurants, organizations and individuals in the Greater Bridgeport area. Space limits us to between 10-12 contestants. There is no charge to enter the Competition, but the Contestants are encouraged to support the support the event by purchasing or selling a table of 10 tickets.
Contestant Rules and Requirements
- Contestants must cook their Pasta e Fagioli in their own restaurants, organizations or home kitchens and then transport it to Tashua Knolls no later than 5:00 PM and ready to serve at 6:00 PM on Friday, October 4.
- With an expected attendance of between 150-200 people, each contestant must have ready to serve 2-3 gallons of Pasta e Fagioli.
- Tashua Knolls will provide the tasting bowls and utensils for the judges and those members of the public attending the Competition.
- In a designated area at Tashua Knolls, impartial volunteers will serve the judges a sample of each contestant’s entry.
- Contestants must provide their own equipment to keep the Pasta e Fagioli at the required serving temperature.
- Contestants will be given a designated number before the start of the contest which will be displayed in front of their serving station.
- The name of the Contestant’s restaurant, organization or individual will not be displayed at the serving stations. Any employee or volunteer assisting the Contestant will not be allowed to wear clothing or object that depict the name of the restaurant, organization or individual. In fairness to the Contestants, all entries will be anonymous.
- A total of 5 impartial individuals will serve as judges for the Competition. A Contestant’s family member, vendor, supplier or employee will be prohibited from serving as judges for the Competition.
- Contestants may bring business flyers, cards or brochures for advertising purposes and displayed at a table in Tashua Knolls and away from the competing entries.
The Awarding of Prizes
After the scores are tallied by the Judges, the winning entries will be announced and the names of the competing restaurants, organizations and individuals will be revealed.
The following prizes will be presented: First Place, Runner-Up and Most Creative Entry.
The “2024 Grand Marshal” Award will be selected and presented by the Grand Marshal herself.
The “People’s Choice” Award will be presented. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to sample and judge each entry and the majority of votes cast for a particular entry will be declared the winner.
GOYA!
Oh Boya!