Spaghetti alla carbonara, a classic Italian dish known for its unique blend of cheese, pancetta, and eggs, is considered a true test of culinary prowess. However, the beloved dish has been subjected to an unthinkable fate – being canned.
Heinz has unveiled their first new pasta offering in over a decade, introducing Heinz Spaghetti Carbonara to UK supermarkets this month. The company’s research indicates that younger consumers are seeking quick and convenient meals that require minimal cooking skills.
However, not everyone is thrilled about this canned twist on a classic. Particularly disgruntled are Italians and, more specifically, Italian chefs.
Michelin-starred chef Alessandro Pipero told the BBC: “This dish is the end of civilisation.”
Pipero isn’t alone in his outrage. Ciara Tassoni, manager of Bottega Prelibato in Islington, London, expressed her disgust, saying: “It’s a disgrace! One of her equally-offended colleagues added, incredulously: “In a tin like cat food?”, reports the Express.
Despite its global recognition, carbonara is a relatively recent invention, with its roots traced back to the period just after the Second World War when Italians were making do with available ingredients.
The recipe for carbonara continues to stir debate, with some traditionalists balking at the inclusion of ingredients like bacon or cream. As highlighted by Francois-Regis Gaudry and Alessandra Pierini in 2021, carbonara is arguably the world’s most famous pasta dish, yet also the most ‘tortured’.
The journalist and chef were adamant that “cream in carbonara is a crime.”
Heinz has thrown its hat into the ring with a version featuring pancetta, powdered cheese, skimmed milk, cornflour, sugar, and garlic flavouring. Some argue this interpretation might be closer to “authentic” than what you’d find in high-end eateries.
There are claims that carbonara originated in Riccione, a northern Italian town liberated in 1944, concocted by a Bolognese chef who creatively used canned Allied rations like powdered egg.
Kraft Heinz’s Meals Director, Alessandra de Dreuille, emphasised the brand’s focus on convenience over authenticity: “We understand that people are looking for convenient meals that are effortless to prepare, and our new Spaghetti Carbonara delivers just that.”
“It’s the perfect solution for a quick and satisfying meal at home,” she continued. “Whether enjoyed as a comforting meal after a long day or shared with friends whilst catching up on the latest TV series, Heinz Spaghetti Carbonara is the perfect fuss-free dinner solution.”
Priced at about £2 per can, it’s an accessible option for those curious to form their own opinionjust maybe don’t mention it to any Italians.