Joe Ortiz Memoir: Episodes & Recipes

Locally owned and operated since 1966

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF LANDSCAPE MATERIALS IN TOWN

• Interlocking Pavers • Retaining Wall Systems • Flagstone & Slate • Real & Artifi cial Turf • Decorative Gravel & Utility Sands • High Quality Organic Soils & Compost • Custom Mixes • Drainage & Erosion Control • Boulders • Garden Tools & Masonry Supplies • Pond Supplies & Pumps • Soil Amendments • Organic Fertilizers & Pest Control • Decorative Mulch & Wood Chips • and much more!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG It’s a great time to get out and garden! Whether it’s improving our landscape or creating a new garden, it’s good for the soul and great therapy!!

Fast delivery to your home or o ce!

831-688-6211 | www.aptoslandscapesupply.com 5035 Freedom Blvd. | Aptos, CA 95003 Monday - Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday

Specialty soils and fertilizers by the bag or bulk.

Campbell 408-378-4921

900 DELL AVE. Santa Clara 408-727-0822

Morgan Hill 408-779-7368

95 E. MAIN AVE. Santa Cruz 831-477-7133

Hollister 831-638-1999

2610 SAN JUAN RD. Watsonville 831-722-0334

Salinas 831-424-7368

210 W. MARKET ST. Greenfi eld 831-856-9100

FEATURED COLUMNIST Joe Ortiz Memoir: Episodes & Recipes

Joe Ortiz’s memoir, Pastina — My

Father’s Misfortune, My Mother’s

Good Soup, became the framework for the musical Escaping Queens, which ran at Cabrillo Stage in 2012 and 2013.

In July, The Capitola Soquel Times began the exclusive publication of various episodes from the book — including a recipe that helps shape each installment. You may have read one of the pieces in the Times a few months ago entitled, “Pastina, Food for the Soul — The Night Freddie the Bookie Showed Up with the Gun.”

The idea of weaving anecdotes about food with an ongoing narrative came to Joe after reading Heartburn by Nora Ephron.

“Using recipe descriptions to help tell a story seemed the perfect way to weave the angst of a father’s chaotic life with the salvation of a mother’s cooking,” Ortiz explains. “For me, the soothing aromas and descriptions of my mom’s food became the salve to assuage my father’s abusive actions, and the ironic humor of it all helped to dull the pain.” n •••

Mom’s Simple Red Sauce

6 to 8 medium Italian plum tomatoes 1/4 cup pureed or chopped garlic 4 to 5 anchovy filets, mashed 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil

Set a pot of water over high heat. When it comes to a boil, gently drop in the tomatoes for 2 to 4 minutes, until the skins blister. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and let cool. Slice the tomatoes in half and squeeze out juice and seeds and remove the skins. Crush the tomatoes with your hands into 1-inch pieces. And set aside.

In a medium sized saucepan, cook the olive oil, garlic, anchovies, and parsley over medium low heat until lightly browned (about 4 to 5 minutes). Gradually ladle in half of the tomatoes and stir another few minutes to make a dark puree. Add the rest of crushed tomatoes and cook 20 to 30 minutes on low heat. Cool before using.

Share A Recipe!

Do you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Aptos Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member.

Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish.

Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!