I, like many Italians, have a little pang in the tummy over this. Pastina was a staple in our pantry for a winter afternoon snack for sure, but mainly this was used in our home as the first warm comforting meal when you were on the mend from being sick. When most have toast, we have pastina with butter, salt, and a sprinkling of Romano cheese. ~ Jennifer Rae TPT Staff
By
Jeanette Settembre – The NYPost.com
This macaroni move is giving Italian-American comfort food fans some serious agita.
Pastina, the tiny, star-shaped pasta boiled for soup or prepared with butter and heaps of Parmesan cheese, could be in danger of becoming extinct after US-based brand Ronzoni announced Tuesday it would cease production of the product.
The shocking communiqué had carb lovers begging the brand to reconsider — and prompted online petitions, hoarding and price-gouging, with bids for a box starting at $20 on eBay.
“After extensive efforts, we regretfully announce that Ronzoni Pastina is being discontinued,” the brand posted on Instagram, citing supply-chain issues.
“Unfortunately, our long-term supplier informed us that they would no longer be making Ronzoni Pastina as of January 2023,” the brand continued. “We searched extensively for an alternative solution, but were unable to identify a viable option to make Pastina in the same beloved small shape, size and standards you have come to expect.”
While other brands make pastina, Ronzoni is a household name for many fans, who expressed their devastation on social media. The announcement sparked multiple petitions on Change.org, including one titled “Save Pastina!” that’s garnered nearly 900 signatures so far.