Another of the symbolic foods that are a necessary part of many Passover tables is bitter herbs to represent the bitterness of the enslaved Hebrews in ancient Egypt. Horesradish is often used for this element. I think our Greek-Jewish mother used horseradish for expedience and convenience. Other foodstuffs, however, are used for this bitter element in non-Ashkenazi homes. I have adopted escarole, a leafy green in the chicory family that has a bitter taste. During the seder, some of the leafs are used and a little bit goes a long way.
Escarole is an excellent ingredient to a tossed salad or many other dishes that use greens. Instead, last week I chose a recipe that I’d harvested a while ago from the web for pasta with sardines, breadcrumbs, and greens. The family enjoyed this dish for dinner last week and I was able to use the remaining head of escarole.
Pasta with sardines,* breadcrumbs, and capers (and escarole). This recipe calls for ½ cup of breadcrumbs that are gently toasted in a large skillet and removed. The escarole is blanched; then one pound of pasta is prepared as per instructions in the kale water. Next, one can of chopped anchovies, one sliced onion, 5 sliced of garlic cloves are sauteed in the skillet for about five minutes. Two cans of sardines are broken up and are added to this mix along with 2 tablespoons of capers, the zest of one lemon, and 1 tablespoon of paprika, smoked or sweet. After about another five minutes, add the cooked drained pasta, blanched escarole, toasted breadcrumbs, and ½ cup of chopped parsley along with about ¼ cup of the pasta water. Toss well to mix all the ingredients. We enjoyed this meal with a tossed salad on the side.
Of course, we still have a one leftover sheet of matsah hanging around after the annual week of Passover. I might enjoy it with butter and sliced hardboiled egg (another remainder from our seder).
*I had no sardines in the pantry and used drained tuna in its place
Creatively Annette 
I’m a big fan of Passover food even when it isn’t Passover. (And I set aside a box of matzah for hurricane season, since it’s a versatile food.)
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Dear Annette, In the past I believe we talked about that delicious springtime sorrel. How I do miss that soup. I should go down to Dorchester to the Polish store where they have it frozen. You write so well and so authoritatively. Sunday April 12 was our first senior trip this year with All Around New England, owned by Cheryl Tobey of Winthrop. We had sunny, windy weather and on our luxury coach drove first to the Whaling Museum in New Bedford. I was absolutely transfixed by the museum, the knowledgeable docent we had and the exhibits and building itself. Amazing is not strong enough a word. I kept thinking how much I wished you were there. The scrimshaw collection alone was worth the trip. Photographs and actual implements, huge reconstructed whales, magnificent. And immaculate restrooms and charming gift shop though these days I buy nothing. We saw a beautiful movie in 3D about the Inuit and polar bears and the theater was state of the art. Then a short drive over to Fall River. I had much trepidation. Would I be able to walk that far, could I manage navigation of the ramp up to the USS Massachusetts and the “dividers'” as our lunch was in the Ward Room. Cheryl helped me and on the way out, two young men who told me they were in the USN, got me down the dizzying ramp or plank, whatever is correct term. This place is incredible. I could not believe it. Battleship Cove should be mandatory for every student graduating high school. Thought you might be interested in the lunch menu: Choice of turkey, ham or tuna on a big, beautiful roll, lettuce, tomato, pickles, condiments, potato chips, Water glasses with lemon, replenished often and later a table with coffee and various pieces of cake. I think the servers were civilians, lovely young ladies. The turkey was real turkey, as I call it, not delicatessen lunchmeat. I could not take pictures as my phone was low on charge and I had trouble with all of the chargers so I just turned it off. Hoping to return soon with grandsons/granddaughter. I went to Fall River and New Bedford in the early 2000’s but just driving. Very impressive. A luxury coach holds 50 and we had the one bus. There were three of us with walkers, two men and me. The men were in terrible shape, weak, ill, one had a nurse. I am so fortunate to be able to walk as much as we had to on both segments. We were delayed going home as one woman fell forward and hit her face on the sidewalk at Battleship Cove. We had to wait until the ambulance came. I think she broke her nose. But the lady opted for bandaging and going home with us on the bus and her companion was taking her to Mass General. The terrain was difficult, we were warned but it happens. On the Gloucester cruise with Frederic, there was one stroke and one fall and broken hip. So in this age group anything can happen. All in all, I was immensely pleased and gratified and inspired to do my walks by the lake with regularity and build up my strength. Also in southern Massachusetts, the willows were pristine green and yellow, the forsythia is out and the magnolia trees trying to bloom. I am pleased I did so much shopping and errands in the past two weeks. The car had its detailing, worth every cent at $90 at my fave place, the brakes are replaced, I got a spring haircut and I am dusting the main bookcase. Dinner with the Oder family on Friday was civil, everyone played nice and shared and I got to ride in Terry’s Porsche again. Great restaurant, very New York and heavy on the pescatarian side which I love. And I did not have to pick up the check. Terry has been so ill and he looked tired. His fiancee, what can I say. The IQ of an eggplant. I apologize for my distaste of her. The wedding is delayed, he said again. I have to change my will in the next month. I am telling you, that child of his will receive nothing and all the money will go to this person as Terry really is so very ill. I am surprised his liver transplant lasted this long at age 60 he really is not a candidate for another. Spring has sprung. I miss you. Love, Judith
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