Italians were choking on their espressos last week at the news that lasagne, one of their best-loved dishes, was invented by the English.
The provocative claim was made by the organisers of a Gloucestershire medieval festival.
While researching suitable recipes to include in a medieval cookery showcase, the organisers of Joust Festival came across one of the oldest known cookery books written in English.
The book, called The Forme of Cury, was written by a group of chefs for King Richard II around 1390. It includes a detailed recipe for "loseynes" using beef broth and cheese, layered with dried sheets of a flour and water paste.
The dish was served to ravenous knights in oak-panelled banqueting halls at the end of feasts, and was particularly good at absorbing alcohol, festival organiser Maurice Bacon said. It fell out of favour in England after potatoes were discovered, he claimed.
Despite evidence from the fourth century that the Romans cut pasta into ribbons and called it "lagana", Bacon stood by his claim. "Lagana may be an ancient form of linguini for all we know," he said.
Italian chefs did not take the news too seriously. After recovering from a laughing fit, Paolo Iaiani, chef of Alba restaurant in London, said: "I think it's a big mistake. When I learnt cooking at school in Italy, they told me Italians invented lasagne. When I make lasagne, I make the best."
Chef Franco Taruschio said: "I will leave aside any nationalistic enthusiasm and say I'd be very interested to have a go at the recipe."
The Joust Festival takes place at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire this weekend (26-27 July). Chef Robert Rees will be showing the public how to cook medieval recipes including, of course, "loseynes".
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 24 - 30 July 2003