Spaghetti with Ricotta and Cinnamon

When Venice was the world’s largest spice market, about 6 centuries ago, its cuisine reflected the desire of its citizens to try exotic new flavors. Cinnamon became very popular, and it still turns up occasionally in the foods of the Veneto. Other major Italian port cities —especially Palermo—have dishes that call for cinnamon. Actually, I ate this dish in Moena, a ski resort high in the Dolomite mountains north of Venice.