Internment: Spaghetti Tuesday

Hershel Greene bravely cares for the sick and dying members of the Group. He refuses to give up hope, even in the face of grave danger.

Although Sasha and Glenn are sick themselves, Hershel enlists their aid and the three of them tend to the needs of those most desperately ill. When a patient is lost in death, Hershel will not allow anyone to witness the destruction of the body; insisting that "a sad soul can kill quicker than a germ."

His relentless spirit of optimism literally keeps them all alive throughout the night.

Rick returns at last and reveals the unthinkable to Maggie. It was Carol who was responsible for the murders of Karen and David. He also reveals that he left her behind during the supply run. She is alive. But very much alone.

Maggie is stunned but agrees not to share the news with the Group until Rick can discuss it with Hershel. Maggie warns Rick that the fences will not hold as Rick takes his precious packages inside the prison. 

Rick has brought back fresh vegetables and food as well as over-the-counter medications to last the Group until Michonne and the others return. Hershel continues to care for the sick even as Glenn and Sasha collapse from the effects of the virus.

Thanks to his father, Carl has food to prepare (including fresh tomatoes) for those in quarantine. Hershel had joked earlier to Sasha and Glenn that he wanted to have Spaghetti Tuesday…on Wednesday.

Spaghetti is a nutritious staple to keep on hand; especially if you can scavenge whole wheat spaghetti. When topped with seasoned fresh tomatoes, it becomes even more special…because it then becomes Spaghetti Tuesday.

The Group had an herb garden, with fresh basil that was still intact. If you cannot grow or scavenge fresh basil, then dried basil will work well also. If your fresh (or canned) tomatoes are not sweet, feel free to add a bit of sugar along with the other seasonings.

And when the dead rise; you can have Spaghetti Tuesday any day of the week you wish!

Spaghetti Tuesday

1 pound spaghetti
6-8 ripe Tomatoes, chopped
2-3 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
Fresh Basil, chopped

1/2 tsp. Kosher Sea Salt (more to taste)
1-2 tsp. Sugar

Parmesan Cheese for serving

Chop tomatoes and place into a large mixing bowl. Add garlic and crushed red pepper. Add Kosher salt and stir well. Taste for seasonings and add more Kosher Salt if needed. If tomatoes are not sweet, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar and stir well. Allow tomato mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes while you prepare pasta. It's better if you let sit for 30 minutes (the flavors will develop and the salt will draw more liquid from the tomatoes). This step is critical.

Fill a large Dutch oven with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat or medium-hot campfire coals. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well and top with fresh tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Fresh Basil and Parmesan Cheese. Serve immediately.