The Perfect Time for Pasta

Creative meatless meals for Lent

There are half a dozen reasons why spring is the perfect time to add a pasta dish to your menu.

As always, pasta is versatile, popular, has a low perserving cost, and a high profit margin. But it’s also a perfect transition between winter’s heavy fare and summer’s crisp salads. And pasta dishes offer almost endless choices for the meatless meals many diners are looking for during Lent.

In 2010, Lent runs from February 18 to April 3. During this period of reflection leading up to Easter, some observers give up meat entirely, while others only abstain on Fridays. Different types of pastas can help you provide interesting options for diners looking for vegetarian and seafood menu items during Lent.

Diane Shoemaker, director of business development at American Italian Pasta Company (AIPC), collaborates with foodservice operators to help them brainstorm new ways to present a traditional favorite.

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