In article
>,
Darren > wrote:

> Greetings all,
> I have a question regarding something I see alot where I live, Long
> Island, NY.
> Most Italian restaurants have a pasta dish served with "Vodka Sauce",
> such as penne a la Vodka, etc.
> I have also noticed many bottled and jarred versions of "Vodka Sauce"
> in the supermakets.
> I have never tasted it, but I was wondering why Vodka is used in the
> sauce?
> Vodka doesn't (or shouldn't) have any real taste of it's own, and the
> alcohol would have presumably been cooked off.
> What then, does adding Vodka contribute to the sauce?
>
> Darren

Vodka sauce is popular here in the Philadelphia area too. Why not try
some and see for yourself? The next time you visit your favorite Italian
restaurant, ask for a sample of pasta with regular tomato sauce and a
sample of pasta with vodka sauce. Tell the waiter you want to see if you
can taste a difference, then you will know. If the restaurant isn't
willing to offer samples, just order a small side dish of each. I
honestly just order marinara sauce when I order pasta out or I use
marinara sauce when I make pasta at home, so I don't remember what vodka
sauce tastes like.