Al Capone's Cold Pasta with Walnut Sauce

Published on: June 17, 2005

America's most well known gangster not only had a way with crime, but it seems he also had a way with food. This dish we've heard was one of Al "Scarface" Capone's favorites. Passed along to us by our friend Bob C. in Santa Monica who came across this recipe from writer, John Thomas, we thought we'd pass it along to our readers.

We're told that during the 1929 "Valentine's Day" massacre, Al Capone stayed out of Chicago in order to dodge police who had made him their prime suspect. Word on the street was that Al Capone had given orders to his men to take down rival gangster, George "Bugs" Moran by assassinating all members of his gang from the bottom up until they got "Bugs". Capone stole away to his lavish home in Palm Beach, Florida while it all went down. Upon returning to Chicago, he was welcomed by his family with a feast that included his favorite dish - Cold Pasta with Walnut Sauce.

Although, the case of these murders committed in Chicago was never solved and Al Capone never claimed responsibility, authorities were eventually able to put him away for income tax evasion for which he served seven years in prison. He spent four and a half of those years at Alcatraz. Wonder what kind of food he was served on "The Rock".

Cold Pasta With Walnut Sauce

Ingredients
1 lb. of crushed walnuts
Dried oregano flakes (handful)
1 tsp. red pepper flakes chopped fine
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp. salt
1 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese
1 pint olive oil
2 lbs. pasta (preferably rigatoni or ziti)

Directions:
Mix all but the pasta in a jar or Tupperware container and let stand in refrigerator for a couple of days, covered and tossing occasionally. Boil pasta per package directions and empty into a large bowl. Pour walnut sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly. Refrigerate over night, tossing occasionally. Serve with extra cheese sprinkled on top.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

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