Food News: Meatless Mondays from Mario Batali

The meat that Mario Batali serves at Pizzeria Mozza is so exquisite that, a few years back, days before the wildly popular restaurant opened, someone actually stole his salumi. No kidding.

And if you’ve experienced the carnivorous pleasures at the pizzeria or Osteria Mozza, you’re probably not too shocked by the carne caper.

That’s why it’s big news that Batali will be participating in “Meatless Mondays.”

The chef says he’s a “big believer in the Meatless Monday movement” because “most people in the U.S. eat way more meat than is good for them or the planet.” To show his support for the cause, he’ll be offering 2 vegetarian dishes on Mondays at all 14 of his restaurants.

Two dishes may not seem like much, but it’s actually pretty hard to find an exciting vegetarian option in a non-veggie restaurant. I have faith that Batali will be offering some innovative meatless Italian dishes that go far beyond the ubiquitous Pasta a la Checca. And maybe they’ll temp even his most meat-loving customers.

The Meatless Monday movement is a non-profit initiative aiming to reduce meat consumption by 15% to improve health and the environment. And small changes really can make a big difference. In fact, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, if just once a week every American substituted one chicken meal with vegetable and grains, it would be the same as taking half a million cars of the road.

And it’s hardly a sacrifice if you eat that meal at a Mario Batali restaurant.

-Valentina

Graphic Source.