I feel like a kid, sitting down to write my first assignment at the start of a new school year. Pulling out a fresh notebook and clean pen, I carefully write my heading: What I Did on my Summer Vacation. Except it’s been more than a while since I was a student, let alone in elementary school. But being a freelancer and having a husband in medical school has its benefits, and that (at least briefly) is a return to summer vacations. I scrambled to hand in articles ahead of time so that I could enjoy every minute of our precious time. And that we did.
If I tell you that I was busy every minute that we were home, you might not believe it. But New York is no small town and having an entire lifetime of friends and family and favorite places there means there’s lots to do. Of course I ate my way through the city, having soup dumplings in Chinatown and Tibetan food followed by Indian desserts in Jackson Heights, pizza in the West Village and Katz’s in the Lower East Side. I went to the Union Square and Grand Army Plaza farmers’ markets, the Essex Street Market, Eataly. There were lots of barbecues, brunches lovingly prepared by my mother-in-law, a seafood feast created just for me by my father. I drank a lot of beer, but good beer that is evidence of the success of the craft brewing revolution. And I consumed more than my fair share of iced coffees, with Stumptown being my greatest disappointment and Jack my new champion.
I had falafel at Mamoun’s, too. Not as transcendent as anything in Israel, but pretty good.
Of course in between eating I did other things as well. Had picnics in the park (oh wait, that’s eating!), visited MoMa and the Met, saw a friend’s play, attended a wedding barefoot on the beach, went to lots of movies. I took a week long cooking class at the Institute for Culinary Education, and a four-day food photography class through the International Center for Photography (more on both of those later, an entire post each, I promise). Most importantly I was reminded, not that I needed any reminder, that I have the most incredible friends and family on the planet.
We went to Vermont and Massachusetts, too. Nearly two weeks we spent swimming and sunning, hiking and running, visiting farms, breweries, creameries, wineries. That, too, deserves it’s own post. I’ll just be a little behind.
And now we are back in Israel. We arrived Sunday, at the end of three days of tension, misunderstandings, and rocket attacks. Yet I’ve realized that this, too, is home. And I’m happy to be home.
Everything is in that disarray that comes when you’ve just returned from a long trip, exhausted from travel. Suitcases and clothing litter my floor. I can’t bring myself to unpack just yet, so there everything is. The contents of our bag spill over with all the goodies we’ve brought from home: jam from my favorite cafe in Saratoga Springs; goat caramel, maple syrup, and even wine from Vermont; our favorite salad dressing and granola bars; fancy bitters for cocktails; more mundane things like contact solution and toothpaste.
It’s on nights like this that we all need something quick but nourishing, light but satisfying. And it’s the end of the season when summer produce is at its finest, corn so sweet and tender you barely need to boil it and tomatoes so vibrantly fresh I could eat nothing else. So I threw together this quick summer pasta, happy to be back in my own kitchen, even happy to see my own barely functioning stove with its two working electric burners.
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Olive oil
- 5 ears corn, shucked and kernels removed (about 4 cups kernels)
- 200 grams spinach (about 7 ounces)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 large tomatoes, chopped and seeds removed
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water, and set aside. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the corn and cook until slightly charred, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat and add the spinach and garlic. Toss to combine and cook until spinach is just wilted. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the spaghetti and toss thoroughly with tongs. Add a splash of pasta water and Parmesan and toss again to combine. Add a bit of olive oil if needed and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve with additional Parmesan for grating.
Everyone calls me lucky for my European or Italian holidays, but I’d like a lot seeing the US…
Loved your pictures and your descriptions.
And your pasta looks easy to make and flavorful: great!
Usually we would prefer a European or Italian holiday (that does sound nice!) but we decided to stay closer to home and were so happy we did! Vermont is just gorgeous! Thanks so much Giulietta!
Welcome back! Is school starting this early?
Thanks!!! Yes, those crazy Americans start way before the Israelis. Evan started class yesterday and the first years have been here since July! Let’s get together soon, I’ll let you know when I’m coming to TA!
That pasta dish does look fantastic. The summer growing season is just about done here, but I’ll bet I can squeeze out an ear or two of corn and some tomatoes for this one.
I saw the word falafel and got all excited. I had some in Israel and they were definitely out-of-this-world. I just don’t think it’s possible to match that here.
Thank you! Hopefully you’ve got a little more life on the summer produce. We just left New York and tomatoes were just gorgeous at the farmers market. There is nothing like falafel in Israel! One of the things I will miss most when we eventually move back home.
Looks like you had so much fun..pictures are beautiful and your pasta dish is one tasty bowl of goodness:))
Thanks Sandra!! We definitely had fun. It’s good to be back too though! I’ve been missing your blog 🙂
A beautiful dish to showcase sweet, summer corn. I’m already getting sad that there will only be a few more weeks left to enjoy it before fall arrives.
Thanks Carolyn! I know, we have to enjoy every minute of summer before it’s gone! 🙂
So glad to find your bog! I love your writing style and hearing about travel along with food!
Thanks Becky! I’m a big fan of your blog so it’s a huge compliment 🙂
Hi Katherine, I love to read your post. Your photos are so beautiful! And the pasta looks great!
Thank you Luciana! I am still thinking about your chicken and pepper weave! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
You write so beautifully!!! Loved every word. My goal for my next 60 years on earth is to try more of your recipes. I am the luckiest mother in law in the world. Love you, Daryl
Shucks Daryl 🙂 I’m pretty lucky myself. Love you too.
Welcome back and oh how much I missed your writing! I’m glad to hear you had a great time back home with friends and family and I’m sure it was a great refreshment! Summer pasta looks lovely and I love lots of corn in it! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip back home. 🙂
Thanks Nami!! It’s good to be back. I missed your blog a ton and am looking forward to returning to my normal schedule 🙂
Your vacation home sounds incredible! I’m glad that Israel is feeling like home, too (and you are so right, there is no place like Israel for falafel!). I’m hungry for your pasta dish now!
It really was incredible, Hannah, but it’s good to be *home* too for sure! Actually haven’t had falafel yet in the week I’ve been back… need to get on that! Thanks for stopping by 🙂