Spinach Pasta Bake

Tyler Epperly

When I was little, I would go stay with my grandfather during the summertime. My grandfather and I would go fishing and hiking in the mountains. We would ride four wheelers and dirt bikes, and see who could spit watermelon seeds the furthest.

After it would get dark, we would go inside, and my grandfather would cook dinner. He would also teach me how to cook because he always said, "If you want to impress the ladies, learn how to cook." So, he had me in the kitchen cutting up stuff and grinding stuff, but he would never let me help him actually cook. That was his thing--he loved to be in the kitchen cooking up something good and tasty.

So, one day I got the nerve up to ask him if I could help him cook instead of just cutting up things and handing them to him. He turned to me and said, "I think you're ready to help me cook, so go wash your hands." I was so thrilled that I was going to get to cook with my grandfather. The one man in this world that I looked up to wanted me to help him out.

I washed my hands and ran into the kitchen and I asked, "What are we cooking?" He replied, "Spinach Pasta Bake." For the next thirty minutes, it was just me and my grandfather in the kitchen cooking up a storm. We didn't even talk to each other because we were so focused on cooking.

After we baked it, we sat down and tasted it to see if I did a good job for my first cooking experience. We both loved it, and he told me that it was the best thing he has ever tasted in his life. I was so happy I was grinning ear to ear.

This dish is my favorite and it means a lot to me. Last summer (2007), my grandfather lost his battle with cancer and passed away. Every time I make this dish, it makes me think about him. I only make the dish during the summer and when I go visit my grandmother in Virginia. I feel like now is the time for others to learn about this meaningful dish. It also helps me with some closure with my grandfather passing away. So, I hope all enjoy this dish and think about the true meaning of it: a grandson and his grandfather being best friends and cooking together to just have fun. Enjoy spinach pasta bake with your friends and family, and and my grandfather's memory will live on.