organized in Moscow, as symbol of friendship between Italy and Russia. The initiative was successful, so much so that research in the U.S. has shown that penne alla vodka has become the second most sought-after dish of pasta in search engines, behind only pasta alla Bolognese. Composition Along with the penne pasta, this dish generally contains cream sauce mixed with marinara sauce or tomato paste, which are a combination unusual in Italian cooking because the acidity of the tomatoes tends to make the oil in the cream separate. The ethanol (vodka) serves as an emulsifier, allowing the water and lipids to remain mixed together. Ethanol is also thought to solvate certain flavors from the tomato that would otherwise be inaccessible in water. This is seen in other vodka sauces, as well. In media Film Disco Sauce: The True Story of Penne Alla Vodka is a platinum Viddy, Platinum MarCom and Taste Award winning documentary released in 2022 by director Roberto Serrini that examines the history, composition, and variations of penne alla vodka. The film features chef Pasquale Cozzolino, chef Gaetano Arnone, chef Jae Lee, chef JJ Johnson, chef Jeremy Spector, and molecular gastronomist Herve This. See also List of pasta dishes Italian-American cuisine Pink sauce References Pasta dishes Italian-American cuisine