This week I was SO excited to see my old friend Rose Contadino, owner of Mangiamo LLC, in her new homemade pasta shop in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY! Years ago I was the lucky beneficiary of Rose’s homemade pasta at a dinner party when she was visiting some friends from CT. Since then, she’s moved to the area and opened up shop! I chatted a bit with Rose about her pasta making roots, and how she’s helping all of us to enjoy homemade pasta with our families… without all the work and mess.

WHEN DID YOU START MAKING PASTA? “I’ve been making pasta my whole life. Sunday was pasta-making day. We’d come home from church, and if you were tall enough to reach the counter, you grabbed a rolling pin. All five of us would work on Sunday supper, making the pasta by hand.”

WHERE WERE YOU BEFORE OPENING THIS SHOP? “Before opening Mangiamo, I was a vendor at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market, where I’d bring my ravioli and fresh cut pasta. From there, I was able to start making pasta for R&R Kitchen, 30 Lake, and then I made specialty raviolis for Mamma Mias Restaurant.”

WHAT’S THE CUSTOMER FAVORITE? “Customers love my raviolis, with the four-cheese being my best seller. I try to do a special every week, and sausage is always a favorite. Spinach prosciutto comes in as second favorite. I personally love all pasta, and am happy when there is a little left over!”

BUT WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THE SAUCE? “I’m offering something I call “The Tomato Jar”, which is fresh tomatoes, with a little satchel of basil, shallots and garlic. You can easily sauté it, throw the fresh tomatoes in, and you have a quick marinara that’s made in the 15 minutes time it takes to boil the water and pasta. I also sell a variety of pestos to toss with the pastas.”

WHAT’S THE KEY TO THE PERFECT PASTA? “Of COURSE when you’re making pasta your ingredients are super important. But really what makes it the best is your love and passion for actually making the pasta. It’s what you put into it… your emotion, your feeling. And that really makes it shine, and helps you to share it with family.”

Mangiamo’s is currently open Thursday and Friday, from 12PM-5:30PM, and Saturdays from 10AM-2PM. They also take special orders throughout the week by calling (518) 450 – 4006. More information with updated hours and specials can be found on their Facebook page or Instagram page.