Somewhere in the middle of Italy, Karyn Korteling’s stomach ached. She needed food, any type. Korteling, who was pregnant, felt a “nauseous” hunger that prompted she and her husband to pull over at “this road-side dump.” Even though they didn’t understand anything on the menu and couldn’t find anyone who spoke a word of English, they walked in. Korteling pointed to a sauce that looked appealing.

“What is this?” Korteling asked as her eyes lit up the summer day on their 1989 vacation. “This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever eaten.” Korteling, the owner of Pastabilities on Franklin Street, travels for food inspiration. Off a nondescript road in the middle of Italy’s rolling hills, the sauce proved to be her greatest find. She came back to the United States and imitated it, calling it “spicy hot tomato oil.” It complements her bread and pastas, was featured on the Food Network earlier this year and has driven Pastabilities for nearly 30 years.