Pasta brownie

Pasta Brownie
Found almost exclusively in Columbia, SC, this dish is a favorite among many who live there, and was created by accident during an unlikely kitchen mishap. On a bleak December evening in 1933, two chefs at Martin's Restaurant were trying to prepare several meals at once during the dinner rush. Being the heart of the depression, times were tough, and the restaurant owners had to struggle each day just to make ends meet. As a result, space in the kitchen was extremely limited, which led to frequent altercations between chefs vying for counter space and time at the stove.

On this particular evening, one chef was trying to put the finishing touches on a brownie dessert, while another was in the process of preparing a lasagna dish. This eventually led to a physical confrontation, at which time the brownie was knocked up in the air and landed on top of the lasagna. Neither chef noticed until it was too late, and much to their surprise, the customer who was expecting a simple lasagna dinner received a most welcome treat.

Word quickly spread of the restaurant's new creation, and almost immediately their customer base tripled. The dish was hailed by an unnamed local critic as "a single bright spot during this, one of the worst times in American history." Other variations appeared, including pasta brownies based on spaghetti, ravioli, and cannelloni. The original lasagna version (pictured) is considered by many to be the only "true" way to prepare the dish, much as Neapolitan style is considered by many to be the truest form of pizza.

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