📍SARDINIA

Su Finlindeu

My co-chair, Lucy, is an expert Italian chef. On the other hand, I am an expert Italian food patron. Recently, my family and I discovered an incredible and unique dish while visiting the magical Island of Sardinia.

Sardinia is a large island in the Mediterranean sea, with a unique culture shaped by geographic isolation and historic civilizations. The island is known for over 1,800 km of magnificent sea line, complemented by inland rocks that have been weathered over centuries. Costa Smeralda is a special retreat, with crystal clear water unlike anywhere else in the world.

We discovered a very special pasta dish, su filindeu, found only in Sardinia and perfected by locals. Su filindeu translates to “veils of God '' or “the threads of God,” and dates back to the 17th century. The dish is made from dough, semolina wheat, water, and a pinch of salt. The magic is created by pulling the dough to form thin threads, placing the strands in wooden trays, and drying it in the sun. Known as Italy’s most rare pasta, supposedly only a few people know the true secret recipe.

Sardinian cuisine is simple, fresh, and delicious. Some other must-try dishes include malloreddus, a traditional Sardinian pasta made with semolina flour and saffron, and porceddu, a roasted suckling pig cooked on an open flame. Pecorino cheese is also a specialty of the island and comes in a range of flavors, depending on how long it has been aged. Sardinia's seafood is particularly fresh and tasty, with dishes such as spaghetti with bottarga, a cured fish roe, being a local favorite.

Buon appetito!
-Susan