Pasta is more than just a delicious entrée or side dish; it’s an essential part of Italian culture. Italians have been creating pasta dishes for generations, varying the shapes and sauces to reflect regional traditions. In this hands-on class, led by our native Italian cooking instructor, you’ll prepare and enjoy "pasta au gratin" (egg fettuccine pasta tossed with tomato sauce, tiny meatballs, mozzarella and parmigiano cheese, then topped with homemade bread crumbs and baked), zucchini (stuffed with ground pork, herbs, and bread crumbs, topped with a light basil and garlic tomato sauce), apple and pecorino cheese salad (tossed with a lemon vinaigrette dressing) and lemon sorbet. This class is held in the Cooking and Lifestyles Classroom at Whole Foods Market, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., in Ann Arbor. Students may register on-line through www.wccnet.edu