Penne Vodka Crossword Mystery: Can You Crack It?

Certainly! “Penne alla vodka” is a delicious and popular Italian pasta dish. The crossword clue you mentioned is looking for a term that comes after “Penne” and before “vodka,” and the correct answer is “ALLA.”

In Italian cuisine, “alla” is a preposition that means “in the style of” or “with.” When used in a recipe or menu, “alla” denotes a specific cooking style or preparation method. In the case of “Penne alla vodka,” the term “alla vodka” indicates that vodka is one of the key ingredients used in the sauce for the pasta.

To prepare “Penne alla vodka,” you would typically begin by boiling penne pasta. While that is cooking, you prepare the vodka sauce separately. The sauce typically consists of ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, onion, cream, and, of course, vodka. The vodka not only adds a unique taste but also helps enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.

Once the pasta is cooked al dente (firm to the bite), you strain it and then combine it with the vodka sauce. The pasta absorbs the flavors of the creamy tomato sauce, resulting in a rich and tangy taste that is characteristic of “Penne alla vodka.”

Sometimes, variations of the dish may include additional ingredients such as bacon or pancetta, which add an extra layer of savory flavor. However, the core components remain the same: penne pasta, vodka, tomatoes, cream, and the delightful “alla vodka” sauce.

In summary, “alla” in the context of the crossword clue “Penne ___ vodka” refers to the cooking style or preparation method. In this case, “ALLA” indicates that the penne pasta is served with a tomato-based sauce featuring vodka. So, the answer is “ALLA.”