Pianist Hershey Felder's shares his love of lasagna + cabbage tagliatelle | Pasta Grannies Diary

Pasta Grannies viewers regularly tell me how the channel reminds them of their own grandmothers. I thought it would be interesting to share one of your stories; so this week it's a Diary episode: here is classical pianist (and Pasta Grannies fan) Hershey Felder telling us about butternut squash and leek lasagna, and fried cabbage tagliatelle. The latter is his Hungarian grandmother's recipe; making pasta reminds him of her and his mother.

[@marilyn1228]

That oven, that stovetop, those knobs, that copper pot! I'd love to try those dishes!!! Wonderful story of this mother, his respect for the pasta grannies, and I love that he doesn't mind being covered with flour.

[@sisis_eyes_wide_open]

He’s so talented and interesting yet so humble. Just a wonderfully balanced individual 😍

[@ASoulsHeartbeat]

Oh this was a treat. Such a talented man and yet he has such respect for the Grannies. You can hear and see the influence his Mom and Grandma has on him. They would be proud. Both dishes looked good but I am still trying to wrap my brain around all that sugar in the cabbage. Really enjoyed this one! Patti (oh yes I almost forgot, that oven is to die for!)

[@sisgaia]

I saw Hershey Felder perform as George Gershwin in his one-man show at the Geffen Playhouse many years ago. My date was a talented soprano, and he picked her voice out of the crowd and had her sing while he accompanied on piano.

[@pastagrannies]

That's a good story, thank you for sharing it. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@ymac7245]

This guy knows how to entertain guests.

[@Deblijeegel]

This guy has an amazing positive energy around him! really lovely episode, he is definitely a honorary pasta granny.

[@tiffanykrause2529]

Yes, very educating in a light and joyful manner

[@jordanm5677]

Just met him last night here in florence and he’s just as warm and friendly in real life

[@martyrose]

Everything about this video is absolutely perfect! Only thing is someone needs to pull his sleeves up while he rolls pasta! Thanks Vicky, lucky person that you are! Wonderful! ❤️

[@Thomas4217]

Only that is not a granny…

[@martyrose]

@@Thomas4217 Maybe he's a grampy! 😁 Whatever he is, it was fun to meet him.

[@Getpojke]

Maybe not Italian or a granny but I think he's definitely an honorary Pasta Granny. 😄 Lovely kitchen, I was coveting that little shuttered window in the top left of the shots as well as his big copper "jeely-pan" as wee Scots would say or jelly/jam pan. [I've been adding to my copper pan collection of late so I'm in the mood]. I like the cabbage dish, I had no idea it was Austro-Hungarian recipe. I've been doing a dish that's pretty much identical bar the addition of some white or black Balsamic vinegar. I think I'm maybe used to the sweet & sour thing as I like to cook a lot of historical food where they often mixed the two, & until the "service à la russe" came into being both sweet & sour dishes would be served to the table at the same time. Looks like you had a lovely time filming? An interesting off menu diversion to see you in the kitchens of Pasta Grannies fans.

[@pastagrannies]

hi James, I always have a lovely time filming!🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@bobbiebuerer501]

He has so much appreciation for the pasta grannies and the art of pasta! He brings so much joy and proudness to carry on his mothers love for cooking and his heritage. Love this so much!!

[@PeroXepatonio]

i love this guy he is amazing. I m keeping "the idea of butter is not to count the calories but the taste"...that says it all. If you want to eat something tasty then calories is the wrong road to follow.

[@lut4579]

Wonderful, interesting, and talented man! I enjoyed all his talents and meeting him. His mother and grandmother are with him always. Thank you all for such a unique and entertaining Pasta Grannies video! I LOVED IT!

[@richardb22]

Tell you what. I am a bit of a traditionalist and my soon to be 10yo son who i watch these with is too. Not a Pasta Granny. Not a pasta nonno. There was rebelion and muttering in this kitchen. We watched it. Hershey relates his account and his love for the recipies he prepares to his granny and mother . So he gets a thumbs up. Please film him again in 30 years when he doubles up on pasta nonno status.

[@pastagrannies]

hi Richard, I'm glad you liked Hershey's story. This week it's back to the Pasta Grannies. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@patrickhanna9230]

I come from a Hungarian ethnic background on my mother's side. Káposztás tészta is probably my favorite dish I grew up on. In fact I made it last night before I saw this video...❤️

[@Gazetteer-ch3pp]

I can say this man is a genius, and multitalented.👍 His cookings are delicious..

[@SabraQueenoftheUnderworld1346]

😂😂😂😂 the pepper over the cabbage ..."generous with the pepper but not to much you'll kill people"😂😂😂😂😂. He's amazing!!!!!

[@nessuno9945]

This man is married to the first female Prime Minister of Canada, Kim Campbell, who was our 19th Prime Minister, and served in 1993. And... looks like he can cook too! Bravo. Also, the cabbage & Tagliatelle is something like Pizzocheri, which uses buckwheat pasta, lots of butter, no sugar.

[@fransmordin8015]

OMG, the former Prime Minister of Canada at the table, she looks amazing. Hershy's wife! This was a great episode, but I am prejudice being Canadian of Hungarian descent,. funny though my mo never put the sugar in the cabbage, but I am going to Thank you Hershey and thank you Pasta Grannies.

[@debboyea9567]

That lasagna looks absolutely wonderful!! I could eat at least half of it! Love butternut squash.

[@sylviarossnagl2722]

I tried out this inspiring lasagna recipe last night when we had friends around for dinner. We loved it and I will give it another go soon! Thanks so much, all the best to you all! Greetings from Stuttgart, Sylvia

[@KarinKern-Zöch]

This is basically KRAUTFLECKERL (cabbage pasta) in Austria!!! But here you have to cook it with lard. And the sugar is caramelized. This is essential for original Viennese taste. Always so nice to see how recipies are international.

[@olja2816]

such a fine, but also a witty gentleman....great new ideas, great episode.

[@majczeslaw5037]

I'm in love with this guy

[@glendacrosbywilkins4246]

I totally agree. Those ladies have seen rough times..& they could really throw a punch...LOL But Awesome cooks !!!!!!!! This looks so good !!!!!! Yummy !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ayuwidyawati8336]

I really love this episode

[@Joekool88]

Sugar and cabbage actually goes well! We do so in Chinese cooking (not as much as what he added though)

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

Put a drop of vinegar and some caraway seed in the cabbage dish and I would know it straight away.

[@pastagrannies]

That sounds like a good variation. best wishes, Vicky

[@michelletribble7327]

is the cabbage and noodles also known as "Haluski" for the Polish/Slavics? It looks delicious!

[@nicolett195]

Halusky are different. They are almost like gnocchi and we eat them with bryndza ( sheep's cheese ) or tvaroh, with fried bacon pieces on the top. The fried cabbage tastes better with small pasta squares called fliacky or fleckerl in german. I don't put so much sugar only 2 table spoons into hot oil to make caramel before adding the cabbage. It's good to add some caraway seeds too.

[@santiagofernandez3215]

Bravo!!!!

[@mdjcsmith]

How strange, in Australia there's a pianist and score composer called David Hirschfelder, I really thought this was him with a new stage name

[@JCMacDonald]

apparently everything about this recipe is a secret lmao. every step "now this is the secret"

[@mariat3276]

❤️

[@zizzie4081]

He seems like a lovely man, but sorry, se non parlano Italiano, non sono nonne; if they aren’t speaking Italian, they aren’t Pasta Grannies. Hope this isn’t a trend…

[@tiffanykrause2529]

Oh hush...learning from ANYONE with the love and passion....good for all of us

[@sarahp1383]

Everything about this video left me feeling happy, the way this gentleman moved around the warm colours of his sunlit kitchen, his bubbling enthusiasm , a tinge of sorrow as he recounts the loss of his mother, the pounding music to entertain while the lasagna was being done, and finally dinner served with an operatic flourish toasting Pasta Grannies. This is truly happiness, as the maestro remarked ,especially relished in the company of Pasta Grannies which comes up trumps with each delightful episode. Thank you.

[@pastagrannies]

Thanks Sarah 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@sarahp1383]

@@pastagrannies My pleasure.

[@ivansnegireff3071]

@@sarahp1383 loveumom

[@sarahp1383]

@@ivansnegireff3071 Thank you Sir.

[@lulububu721]

Well done Hershey, I loved watching and listening, what a soothing video not to mention delicious!! Thank you for sharing with us ♥️

[@oneitalia2312]

His bulky, big, long sleeve, silly sweater while he's working with the flour and the dough is super annoying. She didn't like the sweet cabbage and pastd dish, you could tell from her first bite and her struggle to say she liked it. She didn't. Why in the world is he on Pasta "Grannies"? He's a Hungarian man! Let's stick to the program! LOL.

[@jmch2186]

That was wonderful. I loved his big copper pot! Tell me, how did the butternut squash lasagne taste? 💚❤️👍🏻☘️🇮🇪

[@miaacri2632]

My grandmother is Serbian/Croatian and her husband my pap is Italian. His mother taught and passed all her secrets and recipes to her daughter in law. We all love this meal as well and great with fried breaded pork chops. Add a sprinkle of chili flakes in the Italian breadcrumbs!

[@pastagrannies]

Hi Mia, I'm always learning; I'd never heard of cabbage with tagliatelle before - and it's widespread. I like the sound of your variation. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@CrowSkeleton]

Me, who fairly regularly broils red cabbage on a base of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, about 25% of which are sugar: "that's...too much sugar..." I can 100% see why his guests couldn't stop eating it, though, the caramelisation reaction in brassicas is * amazing * if you get it right (though Vicky seems to think it tastes of confusion...you can put more salt on if you want!). Our honorary Pasta Granny Hershey makes a very good point about this series being rare and compelling due to still being about food that is delicious - fistfuls of butter and cows' spleens or what-have-you included - rather than "instagrammable" and perfectly plated. That and the attention paid to the skills and value of domestic labour...he is right, those are important things, and this project is a good work.

[@pastagrannies]

My main love is recipes with a story attached or a tradition underpinning them. Caramelised cabbage was most interesting; left to my own devices I would follow you and add a splash of vinegar. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@damianrhea8875]

Does Hershey Felder know the editor of “Pasta Grannies” Amanda Villa-Lobos? Vicky, Sofia Loren is a pasta grannie, too! She’s always so proud of her pasta cookery. Can you film her? (...Many of us would just die if she went on your this show! ) Thank you.

[@supertobino]

who wouldn’t love to see sofia cook

[@pastagrannies]

hi Damian, I forgot that connection - I will mention it to both of them. Meanwhile Amanda also said to me 'why don't you film Sophia Loren'. So if her agent is reading this.. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@damianrhea8875]

@@pastagrannies Thank you, Vicky !!

[@Isylon]

Oh god, cabbage pasta! It is a Hungarian food, remember eating it so many times as a child. Only with an adult head, I find it weird that it was made with cabbage and sugar. We even used to put powdered sugar on top.

[@rudolfbalazs3726]

As a Hungarian violinist living in London, it is an absolute treat watching this episode! Kàposztàs tèszta is an amazing dish and tastes even better the next day. Yes, lots of black pepper! 🎻🎹 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎

[@dnmurphy48]

This show ALWAYS cheers me. he is a lovely guy and both those dishes I want to try

[@axion8788]

And he made just enough for his 4 guests! 👏😀😂 He is a true lokshen bubbeh!

[@ricardoguddemartins5420]

Oh no!! Too much sugar on cabbage. It does not seem to be an Italian dish. In fact it is Hungarian.

[@makelikeatree1696]

Well yes, that is how he describes it, and mentions that his Italian friends are initially quite skeptical.

[@didisinclair3605]

Pure delight. I loved Hershey's flour be-daubed sleeves while he played his piano. And, that stove!!! Be still my heart.

[@loganl3746]

So pleasantly surprised to see Jewish content on Pasta Grannies! I've gotta try that Káposztá székely and that lasagna recipe soon. It's so fun to see a fan of the channel show off how much the Grannies have taught them :)

[@rudolfbalazs3726]

Kàposztàs cvekedli or kàposztàs tèszta 🤗

[@pastagrannies]

It would be great to find some Jewish pasta making grandmothers in Italy, but I have had no success yet. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@loganl3746]

@@rudolfbalazs3726 thank you. I was trying to find the words that sounded correct through Google

[@ivansnegireff3071]

family

[@xeno2299]

I love how he gets flour all over his sweater and doesn't care at all. I would love to hang out with him.

[@frauleintrude6347]

Did not know the cabbage dish was Hungarian. My grandmother made it similar (butter, cabbage in roughly cut pieces, caramelised with sugar) but with caraway and a little sip of vinegar. She made the noodles a bit broader than Italian pasta and with egg yolks included. Guess she cooked it the same way as her mother. The great grandmother, born in 1876, came from Austria (grown up in a time when Austria was a monarchy). I - a granny myself, still prepare the same dish from time to time. Good things will last as long as people don‘t live on ready made convenience food only.

[@alextilton2677]

Also it just *drains* the stress out of my work week. I love this variant on the usual videos.

[@pastagrannies]

hi Alex, glad you enjoyed the variation; it's back to normal this week 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@tonigoldman10]

Mr. Felder. Thank you for sharing this wonderful lasagna recipe. To top it off with your magnificent piano piece is priceless. Would you mind telling me the name of that musical piece? Wonderful episode!!!!

[@santiagofernandez3215]

george gershwin rhapsody in blue

[@tonigoldman10]

@@santiagofernandez3215 I'm not an ace PIANIST like Mr. FELDER but I'd like to start learning that one. Thank you Mr. FERNANDEZ!

[@santiagofernandez3215]

@@tonigoldman10 You're welcome Toni!!

[@tl4214]

I cannot stop smiling, my heart is full, I love the blend of his love of music and love in sharing his food, his creations,his beautiful love of family! 💚🤍❤🇮🇹

[@kathleenkaufman6007]

Cabbage and noodles: Haluski!!

[@TroyKristoffer]

OMG That stove! Also, what a contrast between his home/kitchen and the modest kitchens and homes we normally see on Pasta Grannies.

[@1ACL]

Thats alot of sugar! Cabbage candy!

[@orsolaventura1924]

Le due ricette sono da provare. Sicuramente ottime. L' esecuzione molto Gradevole e con tempi Giusti di preparazione. Bravo.

[@llamantia9138]

Oh my goodness, everything looks so delicious!!

[@emilyireland4857]

I love this! Thank you for sharing.

[@roberttaglieri3943]

I love all the Pasta Grannies episodes, but this one was particularly special. Gracia.

[@stevelogan5475]

Ms. Vicky, great video, such a very nice gentleman, great chef & pianist, sorry but nothing in Appalachia to match those dishes, although we do like all onions, baked whole in the skin, diced/sliced & then simmered in butter, usually eaten here as a side item but not with pasta. I will have to find Mr. Felder playing more music on the piano, maybe on you tube. God Bless everyone.

[@scilal6552]

Did you ever make any of the Grannies' dishes Steve?

[@pastagrannies]

Hi Scila, I told Steve a while back that I was reading a book on Appalachian cooking, and he kindly lets me know similarities and differences in what I post. 🙂🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@pastagrannies]

hi Steve, sounds delish! I think you should try the onions with pasta! best wishes, Vicky

[@stevelogan5475]

@@scilal6552 yes my friend, they taste very good, but I do not have near the pasta making skills as the pastagrannies, lol

[@stevelogan5475]

@@pastagrannies Ms. Vicky, yes Ma'am I will, onions and tomatoes are very popular in Appalchia, especially in my region, God Bless

[@lisacraze1]

I loved this video! What I love most is that he mixes old and new technology effortlessly.

[@ivansnegireff3071]

myfrindlifewaterthatsyflow

[@leporello7]

He is the Bob Ross of cooking.

[@veronic3205]

It's look soooo delicious, I must try this recipe 😍😍😍👍👍👍 Thank you for this video, love from Germany💗💗💗

[@tmpBO]

What an adorable man! That kitchen… thank you for another brilliant episode!

[@docjoesweeney]

I wanted to thank you all for this series. It not only improves my own cooking, but most importantly, it gives life to culture and history. It is everything the internet was promised to be.

[@AirrowRocket]

This was fantastic, I really enjoyed the food and him.

[@swissfoodie3542]

A really wonderful video, and I think a really wonderful man. Alone the story of how he learned to cook the lasagna al zucca from the people he brought the house from, and how he prepares it to keep the "spirit" of the house - beautiful.

[@janecollette9504]

One of the most amazing discoveries of my life was that one can actually make their own noodles, it was like saying, you can build your own house. It's amazing how much more delicious fresh pasta is. Now I make it as often as I can and my family loves it.

[@joanamenn1034]

Bravo! I need to try that cabbage pasta and the lasagna looks amazing! Thank you for that mini-concert as well. Best part of my week!

[@annawan2518]

Love cabbage taglietelle and lasagne, looks delicious. There is a famous cartoon cat 😁😸that loves lasagne too .😋🤤🍝💖💖💖💖💖🙏🏻

[@SilverSingingMethod]

Never heard of him. Thanks.

[@amymo1982]

What a lovely human!

[@ritanarayanan1489]

can't make my mind up 😀pasta or lovely kitchen.

[@elxiar3826]

i love this vid but my ed is raging 😭

[@celestemartinez3560]

I want the range. I want the kitchen. He can stay, as well!

[@missmaryhdream6560]

How beautiful those dishes are, tasty. Delicious 😋

[@ariannahjustinenarmstrong9390]

It is so nice to see good food, classic, which contains all the sugar and butter in it. People in north america are taught to avoid those things, and then they wonder why food "just doesn't taste the same" ....I've been enjoying discovering the joy of making and eating all this good food.

[@cor-z8m]

Best programs on KZbin! Grazie!!

[@kayecramond8194]

What a hoot. Love his enthusiasm for food , arts and life. And his kitchen is amazing. I'll come for dinner any time.

[@donnaflynn8064]

Let's make cabbage and pasta. That sounds like is might be healthy. Cook it in butter and add sugar, ok so not so healthy, but tasty.

[@fas1242]

In Pittsburgh we call it haluski. Popular with all nationalities.

[@elisaastorino2881]

Ah yes, but we also got our Slavic neighbors making spaghetti and meatballs... That's what I love about our hometown!

[@Carducci1959]

The tagliatelle dish with all that butter and sugar is insanely unhealthy!

[@flower-uw1hm]

I will not be putting sugar into my main meals. I leave sugar for deserts, biscotti and torte.

[@jewelsandsparkles]

I would die to go to Hershey's for dinner!!!!

[@mominetti]

Bravo, maestro! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 He is like an Italian nonna.

[@jrpacer6355]

I love my Silcian heritage....

[@albywhitelady]

This channel is so amazing

[@breannebateman9300]

I don’t think she liked the cabbage pasta very much.

[@VeraLucia-qs1jp]

Vou fazer essa receita! Parece muito saborosa.

[@carloscardenas3565]

I cried when he played the piano

[@RosieGoat100]

I LOVE that oven!!! WOW

[@beatalogioco3990]

Love

[@ingridbela4258]

Muito bonito o prato

[@nancylarrea9396]

Ok

[@serasivad]

The fact that former Prime Minister of Canada, Kim Campbell is sitting at the table for that casual subtle cameo I'm SCREAMING!!!!!!!!

[@nessuno1948]

Italians from south Italy or far away from Austria Hungary........wrinking their noses to "cavolo fritto" or sauerkraut, Jota, sarme.............................

[@05JaMaL06]

lost me with that amount of sugar 😂jamal has left the town👋

[@erdelyihajnalka1371]

I'm Hungarian, so I know this pasta. We eat it without sugar too, with salt. You can put onto the pasta fried bacon, too. But: always use pepper!

[@sih1095]

What I absolutely love about this site is is never fails to surprise..

[@nancyanderson6404]

I loved this episode so much. I too am Hungarian and I grew up on cabbage and noodles. One of my favorite meals and I would request it for my birthday. And your lasagna looks fantastic. I have all the ingredients in my house at this minute I will make it all tomorrow. And last week I bought the book pasta Grammys. I am loving reading every word. I have been watching this KZbin for years thank you for being a part of it. You know where Europeans do a lot of pasta also. That might be the next adventure. I'll bet you also liked the potato noodles with cheeses and browned butter. Am I making you hungry?

[@TheMrsBeej]

Those sheets of lasagna are THICC. Not complaining, I'd totally tuck into that on a cold day. Makes me want to go buy some squash and leeks!

[@LinYouToo]

Lucky are his family and friends who have this lovely man in their lives. What a delight. I would love to try this recipe for butternut lasagna.

[@karlemagnethefirst7021]

His energy is amazing. Makes you feel your in your own kitchen. Amazing content as always. Keep it up! ❤