On Friday, Martha Stewart published its food trends for 2021, summing up what experts believe will be the common eating habits and customs in the new year.
Of the seven trends, over half of Martha Stewart's trends written by Bridget Shirvell show the influence of Italian cuisine, suggesting that the surge in pasta machine purchases this spring and the wisdom of pasta grannies in our lives is starting to make a difference.
Here's a closer look at the “pickles, pesto and comfort food” trends that promise a bit of Italianità…
Chickpeas in pasta. Chickpea recipes and products will grow in popularity beyond just hummus. For Italians, pasta with chickpea, called “pasta e ceci,” has long been a go-to dish, especially in Roman households.
Pesto will be "the new banana bread." Thanks to windowsill herb gardens and vegetable patches, American households will likely take flavor into their own hands, grounding their own pesto sauce from scratch, pickling vegetables, making jam, and baking healthy whole-grain bread. Whether harvesting basil for a Genovese pesto recipe, canning summer tomatoes or mixing vegetables for a colorful zingy giardiniera, Italians are known for holding on to traditions that preserve flavor through clever sauces and condiments.
Eating local food. With greater awareness of local businesses, farms and restaurants, community supported agriculture programs will continue and spread. The ethos of buy local and eat seasonally have long been a pillar of Italian cuisine and promoted through the international Slow Food Movement.
Nostalgic comfort food for everyone. Not only will pizza continue to be a sought after meal with wild appeal, but other calming shareable dinners from childhood, including lasagna, prepared in a creative and healthier style. (Chef Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, predicted the same cravings in her new cookbook, “Modern Comfort Food.”)