Iconic Foods from Around the World:  
The Carbonara Challenge

Carlo's finished Carbonara

As many of you know, I host exchange students and one of the things I promise them is that I will come visit them once they return home.  Of course, this is a little self-serving, but they seem to be happy and encourage my visits.  A couple of years ago, I spend three weeks in Italy mostly visiting former exchange students with a couple of days on my own.  My first leg of the trip was to Sardinia, to visit Carlo Fanciulli.

I was staying in a beautiful vacation home overlooking a bay in Olbia, Sardinia.  Carlo came over to cook Carbonaro one day.  He said he had been practicing and researching the best way to cook it.  He said it was a Roman dish and he had spent some time in Rome.  I was more than excited.  He believed that his version was the best Carbonaro in Italy.  I learned that using Guanciale was key to an authentic carbonara.  Guanciale is pork cheeks.  You can see both contestants in the challenge frying off the guanciale in the photos below.  Both said you needed to fry the meat until very crispy.  

Luca's sister in Rome:  

The other contestant in the original - non-ending - Carbonaro Challenge was Luca Toraldo's sister - see above  Since his family live in Rome and Carbonara is considered a Roman dish, every family has their designated Carbonara expert and Luca's sister is theirs.  The other most important ingredient is the cheese combination.  Carlo felt that using only Pecorino Romano was the best for Carbonaro.  Luca's sister used a combination of Pecorino Romano and Parmigianino Reggiano.  Below are the finished products:

One of my favorite travel pictures.  The joy of Food!!

Although both were the best I had ever tasted, the edge went the one that use both types and cheeses (Luca's sister).  It made the flavor not as bold and more balanced.  The one using only the Pecorino Romano  had a stronger flavor.  Of course, I told Carlo his was the best.  He was anxious to hear the results.  I hope he doesn't see this post.  :)

As I have said before the meals in the homes of exchange students and my family are my favorite food memories.  The food always seems to taste better at home - especially if you don't have to cook it.  :)

The table of food at Luca's.  

The challenge continues...

This past summer I visited a former exchange student who is currently living and working out of London - Marcel.  It so happens, his girlfriend is from Rome.  So guess what - she prepared her version for dinner one night.  It was another one of the best I have ever had.  It is difficult to choose the best of the best.  Unfortunately, I can't find my picture of her version.  I did get a picture of her and Marcel with the berry cake she made.  Simple, but delicious.  That's Italian food! 

A Carbonaro Recipe that is close to what each did:https://www.recipetineats.com/carbonara/

Check out my page of food and travel finds.    https://southtangifoodie.blogspot.com/p/amazon-food-and-travel-recommendations.html