We Call It Sugo
a tale of sugo and spaghetti sauce
By Debra Scifo - July 3, 2024
Traditions are at the core of who we are. They are of little importance to those outside the circle. To those inside the circle, traditions are sacred and are to be protected and preserved as they are.
Traditions define a family. We go for extended periods of time without connecting with the people we love but when we come together and do that thing that is a tradition, we are comfortable, we belong, and we reconnect. We call it Sugo.
There is a story to tell about Sugo. I go back many years and Sugo was new and resented by those in the circle. Sugo wanted only to share the tradition that meant so much to those in its circle with those it hoped would let Sugo into their circle. But, Sugo was not their tradition, it was allowed in but was not welcome. At the same time there were others who cherished Sugo for it had been a tradition for generations. For them, without Sugo there could be no Christmas celebration. Without Sugo there would be a great emptiness felt by those who had long been in the circle.
Those who met Sugo for the first time had their own tradition, but they called it Spaghetti Sauce. Sugo may look like Spaghetti Sauce, it even tasted better than Spaghetti Sauce, but it was Sugo. Oh, and Sugo came with Meatballs and Italian Sausage. Spaghetti Sauce was accompanied by only Italian Sausage. Meatballs were too big, and they tasted different than Italian Sausage. Those meeting Sugo for the first time were polite enough and ate Sugo and even tried the Meatballs. Eventually, Spaghetti Sauce made room for Sugo.
Today, Sugo, Meatballs and Italian Sausage have joined our family of traditions. Sugo brings together two families that were introduced under less than perfect circumstances and with time and getting to know Sugo and its story, we have grown as a family and our tradition is more sacred than ever.
I’ve not yet mentioned Spaghetti. It is Spaghetti that both Sugo and Spaghetti Sauce loved. Without Spaghetti there is no reason for either Sugo or Spaghetti Sauce. The real lesson in the story of Sugo is that Sugo is Italian for Sauce. We are more the same than we are different. No, we are the same at our core. We want to share what we cherish with those that we love, and we all want the opportunity to share our traditions because we want to grow our circle.
Go Back Traditions define a family. We go for extended periods of time without connecting with the people we love but when we come together and do that thing that is a tradition, we are comfortable, we belong, and we reconnect. We call it Sugo.
There is a story to tell about Sugo. I go back many years and Sugo was new and resented by those in the circle. Sugo wanted only to share the tradition that meant so much to those in its circle with those it hoped would let Sugo into their circle. But, Sugo was not their tradition, it was allowed in but was not welcome. At the same time there were others who cherished Sugo for it had been a tradition for generations. For them, without Sugo there could be no Christmas celebration. Without Sugo there would be a great emptiness felt by those who had long been in the circle.
Those who met Sugo for the first time had their own tradition, but they called it Spaghetti Sauce. Sugo may look like Spaghetti Sauce, it even tasted better than Spaghetti Sauce, but it was Sugo. Oh, and Sugo came with Meatballs and Italian Sausage. Spaghetti Sauce was accompanied by only Italian Sausage. Meatballs were too big, and they tasted different than Italian Sausage. Those meeting Sugo for the first time were polite enough and ate Sugo and even tried the Meatballs. Eventually, Spaghetti Sauce made room for Sugo.
Today, Sugo, Meatballs and Italian Sausage have joined our family of traditions. Sugo brings together two families that were introduced under less than perfect circumstances and with time and getting to know Sugo and its story, we have grown as a family and our tradition is more sacred than ever.
I’ve not yet mentioned Spaghetti. It is Spaghetti that both Sugo and Spaghetti Sauce loved. Without Spaghetti there is no reason for either Sugo or Spaghetti Sauce. The real lesson in the story of Sugo is that Sugo is Italian for Sauce. We are more the same than we are different. No, we are the same at our core. We want to share what we cherish with those that we love, and we all want the opportunity to share our traditions because we want to grow our circle.