Ask millennials born in July about their birthdays, and they’ll tell you about a childhood colored by worries about the day: no cupcakes in class, no packed lockers, and an ever-present fear that no one will come to your party because everyone’s at sleepover camp or the beach or their grandma’s house.
As Cancer season comes to a close (and a milestone birthday of my own approaches), I dedicate this week’s newsletter to the Cancer, Leo, and Virgo who may have complicated feelings about their birthdays. Below are the zodiac signs of summer as summer pastas – practical, comforting, a little extravagant and, like you, worth celebrating.
Cancer ♋: This bountiful pasta of browned eggplant, quick tomato sauce, cooling mozzarella, and Parmesan-wrapped breadcrumbs from Kay Chun is playful yet soothing, ideal for the comfort-seeking water sign. Cancers craving the familiar may be especially drawn to the way this weeknight-friendly twist on eggplant Parmigiana evokes the traditional version. There are no surprises here, just the crunchy, creamy bites you’d expect from the Italian classic, with the pasta you might serve with it already built in.
Lion ♌: Are forty cloves of garlic excessive? Nonsense. Like the sun-ruled fire sign, this pasta from Ali Slagle strikes a balance between ostentatious opulence and confident boldness. With a little attention, the garlic will soften and sweeten, revealing the softer edges. The results are ragù-like and Leos can appreciate the sophistication achieved with so few ingredients. The recipe calls for crushed or whole canned tomatoes, but use peeled fresh summer tomatoes if you’re feeling fancy. What you are.
Virgin ♍: In a single 20 minute meal, Alexa Weibel perfectly evokes the pragmatic swagger of this industrious earth sign. Every step in her casserole with zucchini and basil is thoughtful, logical and necessary, not a gimmick in sight. The cooking liquid for the pasta – vegetable stock – is also the base of the sauce, and this exacting approach ensures that the noodles are cooked while the liquid is reduced to a thick creaminess. And because Virgos pay attention to every detail, there’s also a vibrant gremolata for garnish.
