What I like to think about is what the word "freedom" would mean to a Sanmarinese. I feel like sometimes we Americans feel like we have a monopoly on freedom and that all other places are oppressive socialist dystopias. Obviously that's an exaggeration. In reality, I imagine most countries have their own take on the concept with slightly different nuances. That isn't to say that San Marino remaining free and independent for nearly 1700s years, avoiding both conquest and assimilation, would make its definition in some way better. Just different.
Pasta e Ceci (Pasta and Chickpeas)Sanmarinese cuisine is apparently very similar to the surrounding Emilia-Romagna, but that's fine since I'm always looking for lesser-known Italian recipes, especially ones that don't involve tomato sauces. I found this one on NPR's website from Jamie Oliver. I followed the recipe as best I could, but something must have been lost in the adaptation because there was nowhere near enough soup to actually cook the pasta in once I reached that point. I added about two more cups of stock in and that seemed to be enough. I turned out really tasty. I think it's a fantastic dish to welcome autumn, for those of you who live in places where you'll actually get to experience it.
