Marlboro youngsters enjoy a taste of Italy

Alittle bit of Italy made its way to the Marlboro branch of the Monmouth County Library System on May 12 as youngsters practiced Italian phrases and learned how to stretch the dough that is used for making their favorite pasta dishes.

Above: Linda Schiano teaches a group of youngsters Italian facts during a program that was held at the Marlboro branch of the Monmouth County Library System. Right: Amanda Lavery, of Marlboro, helps Schiano make pasta during the program. Youngsters practiced Italian phrases and learned how to stretch the dough that is used to make their favorite pasta dishes. Children were invited to take part in the library program led by Linda Schiano, of Old Bridge. Schiano teaches Italian at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, Manalapan.

Schiano said she initially conducted a similar program at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan, where she read to children, taught them some Italian phrases and showed them how homemade pasta is prepared.

She was asked to bring the activity to the Marlboro library.

As the youngsters assembled on the floor, Schiano taught them how to say "ciao!" The Italian word can be used to say hello and goodbye. The children then introduced themselves after learning to say "mi chiamo" (my name is …).

After their Italian lesson was complete, Schiano showed the children a map of Italy and the Italian flag. When asked to name some of their favorite Italian foods, the children had a variety of answers that ranged from Italian bread to pasta to pizza.

Schiano gave the group a little history lesson on the origins of pizza.

Pizza was originally made in honor of Italy's Queen Margherita, Schiano told the group. She described the pizza as being topped with cheese, basil and tomato, forming a red, white and green to mimic the nation's flag. The children were surprised to learn that a margherita pie is named after a queen.

The children then settled in to listen as Schiano read "Strega Nona" by Tomie de Paola. In the children's tale, Strega Nona is a friendly witch who helps her fellow villagers with troubles such as warts and finding husbands. Strega Nona also has a magical pasta pot, much to the awe of her assistant Big Anthony. While Strega Nona is away, Big Anthony decides to play and creates a village-wide mess of pasta.

While Schiano read the book, the youngsters were swept up by the tale and were eager to see the pictures illustrating Big Anthony's pasta debacle. When the story was completed the youngsters were excited to discover that even though they did not have a magic pasta pot, they would still be able to learn the pasta making process.

Schiano brought pasta dough, which she had made at home, telling the children what standard dough contains — flour, water and eggs. She then introduced them to a pasta machine that flattens and smooths the dough. The children leaned in close to watch as the dough was worked through Schiano's family heirloom pasta machine.

Once the dough was flattened and stretched to the appropriate length, Schiano showed the children how the spaghetti everyone knows is made from the long length of dough. Schiano pointed out the different notches on the pasta machine, which cuts the pasta into the desired shape, including spaghetti and fettuccini.

The children all said they enjoyed the glimpse into Italian culture. As the youngsters made their way from the library room, they all sent back a "ciao!" to Schiano.