Jefferson and Macaroni

Thomas Jefferson is one of the most complex and controversial figures in American History.  His birthday of April 13th (also my grandmother's) always makes me want to discover something new about this fascinating man.  It is not just my University of Virginia brainwashing, but the fact that Jefferson is truly America's Renaissance man.  Jefferson made it a point to be a cultural connection between America and the world especially when it came to food.  In 1793 a macaroni mold from Naples made its was to Monticello.  He probably was not the first to introduce the food to America but he did popularize it with his dinner parties at both Monticello and the White House.  Guests would then return home and want the same food as that of the writer of the Declaration of Independence.

http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/macaroni