master-cooks | The Pasta Dish Rumored To Be Al Capone's Last Meal

The infamous gangster Al Capone, known for his lavish lifestyle and criminal empire, is rumored to have had a particular fondness for a pasta dish that became famously associated with his last meal. This dish, known as spaghetti marinara, is a simple yet flavorful Italian classic that reflects Capone's Italian heritage. It is typically made with spaghetti noodles tossed in a rich tomato-based sauce, enhanced with garlic, onions, and a medley of herbs like basil and oregano. Often, the sauce is slow-cooked to allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in a hearty and satisfying dish. Capone, a notorious figure during the Prohibition era, had a penchant for indulging in the culinary delights of his homeland, and spaghetti marinara was no exception. Legend has it that on the night before his imprisonment, Capone savored this comforting dish, savoring each bite as a reminder of his roots. Whether or not this tale is true, the story has endured, adding a layer of intrigue and nostalgia to the already rich history surrounding Capone. Today, spaghetti marinara serves as a delicious reminder of Capone's enduring legacy, blending the simplicity of Italian cuisine with the complex narrative of one of America's most notorious criminals.

A dish to die for?

After Al Capone spent eight months in an Illinois prison from 1929 to 1930, his mother welcomed him home with a meal of spaghetti topped with walnut sauce. She also brought him pasta dishes while he was incarcerated in Chicago, appealing his federal tax evasion conviction. Following nearly seven years in federal prison, Al Capone emerged a shattered man. He suffered from dementia caused by untreated syphilis, and by January 1947, he was gravely ill in his Miami Beach residence.

Similar to the renowned crooner Frank Sinatra, whose last meal was a grilled cheese sandwich, Capone may have yearned for a nostalgic dish from his youth during his final days. While there is some indication that spaghetti with walnut sauce was his favorite, details about when he last enjoyed it are scarce. The YouTube channel "The Last Supper" claims this was his final meal, but it lacks supporting evidence.

In the early hours of January 21, 1947, Capone experienced seizures and muscle paralysis. After these episodes subsided, just two days before his passing, his doctor prescribed a soft liquid diet. Therefore, it is likely that Capone consumed a clear broth rather than a difficult-to-eat pasta dish on his deathbed. He ultimately succumbed to complications from pneumonia and a stroke at the age of 48. Following his death, his sister, Maffie, sold the walnut sauce recipe to the pasta sauce brand Ragu.

The Pasta Dish Rumored To Be Al Capone's Last Meal

A dish to die for?

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