HALLOWEEN, a Ukrainian Superstition, and LINGUINE with MUSSELS

*********

LINGUINE with MUSSELS

          From:  Fabulous Italian by JOHNA bLINN

32 mussels for 4 servings

½ cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic

¼ tsp dried crushed red pepper

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided

½ cup dry white wine

1 pound linguine

Freshly ground black pepper

Freshly grated parmesan

·        Finely chop the garlic cloves and set aside.

·        Chop the parsley.  Put one tbsp. in a dish and set it on the table so you’ll remember to use it as garnish.

·        Grate the cheese and set on the table.

·        Put pepper grinder on the table.

·        Heat oil in skillet.  Sauté garlic and crushed red pepper for one minute.  Let cool.

·        Scrub mussels.  If any are open, tap them.  If they don’t close in the next few minutes, discard them.

·        Bring 8 cups of water to a boil.

·        Put in the mussels, cover and cook for 1 minute.

·        Dip out the mussels that are open.  If any aren’t open, give them another minute or two.  Discard any that don’t open.

·        Remove mussels from their shells.  Discard shells. 

·         Bring large pot of water to a boil to cook the linguine.  Add 2 tsp salt to the water.

·        Cook linguine 11 minutes and drain.

·        Meanwhile, put remaining tbsp. of parsley in the skillet.  Also add the wine and ½ tsp salt.

·        3 minutes before linguine is ready, bring wine to a boil in the skillet.  Add the mussels to reheat.  Lower the heat and cover.

·        Plate the linguine.  Spoon the mussel sauce onto it.  Sprinkle with parsley and parmesan.

·        Serve with a salad.  Pass the pepper grinder.  Enjoy!

                                           ********

A Ukrainian Superstition . . .

as recalled by Mary (Leschyshyn) Stadnyk

If a pregnant woman asks you for something, you are supposed to give it to her or mice will eat your best clothes.

    So one time I went to a young woman’s place.  Her name was Anna Voznee.  There were other young women making fancy boxes for a Box Social.  I really brought few decorations to give Anna.  I had some Christmas decorations such as silver streamers.  One of the other women asked me to give them to her and I wasn’t going to part with them.  But Anna said, “You should give to her as she is in family.”  But I didn’t.  I came home and told Mother about it. 

     Mother said, Just say: ‘My clothes are in that lady’s trunk.’  Say that a few times and it will be alright.   

Halloween in Kyiv: 2017