Mother’s Day Brunch with a Twist: The Babadook Dirt and Worms Bucatini

Let’s break free from the usual brunches and bouquets this Mother’s Day and invite The Babadook into the kitchen. Mental Health Awareness Month and Mother’s Day both occur during May, making it the perfect time to dig into the horror film The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent. The story centers around Amelia, a single mother struggling with personal hardships and grief, whose life becomes intertwined with a sinister children’s pop-up book.

A scene from the film shows Amelia harvesting earthworms from her garden to feed the Babadook, which inspired me to create a unique Mother’s Day-themed dish — Babadook Dirt and Worms Bucatini. I’ve transformed classic bucatini noodles (that’s a fancy way of saying hollow spaghetti) into a creepy-crawly treat, tossing them in a homemade olive tapenade and garnishing them with parsley, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan to mimic the look of freshly dug earth — deliciously spooky and way tastier than actual dirt and worms! Serve with freshly baked bread and a green salad for a complete meal.

Can’t find bucatini? No problem — simply substitute it with regular spaghetti, udon noodles, or your favorite pasta. You can also shortcut this recipe using store-bought tapenade, but why not go the extra mile with a homemade version to truly impress Mom? Plus, the leftovers are great to serve as an appetizer on crackers!

Choosing The Babadook as a theme for Mother’s Day highlights the often ignored and darker aspects of motherhood. It reminds us of our own horror stories, from the sleepless nights with a newborn to the drama of teenage years and, of course, the daily sacrifices that mothers make. It also reminds us that the wraiths of fear, anxiety, and grief require attention — they cannot simply be ignored (or banished to the basement).

So, as you savor this Babadook Dirt and Worms Bucatini, raise a glass to the moms who face their personal Babadooks every day. Let us celebrate motherhood’s unexpected, unconventional, and sometimes downright scary aspects with a dish as memorable as it is monstrous-looking yet mouthwatering.

What’s for Dessert? A Devilishly Good Treat from ‘Rosemary’s Baby‘

To fully embrace the Mother’s Day theme, try serving my Minnie Castevet’s Chocolate Mousse recipe from Rosemary’s Baby for dessert! This devilishly good treat is a rich, velvety chocolate mousse that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Click here for the full recipe.

Join My Ghastly Gastronomic Community

Did you dig this deliciously dark Babadook-inspired dish from The Homicidal Homemaker? Snap a photo, tag #homicidalhomemaker on Instagram, and share what you’ve conjured up in your kitchen. How do you celebrate Mother’s Day with a touch of horror? I’d love to hear your unique ideas and horror-inspired culinary creations!