Is there anything better than Italian home cooking? No. I still remember the first time I went to my friend Nick’s family’s house for dinner when I was in high school. (I had grown up in an Irish-American home, not known for its fine dining.) When Nick’s mother brought the lasagna to the table, I thought I was in heaven. And then to find out that it was only the first course, that there would be more? Lord, take me now! (It was on a follow-up visit that I offered to serve Nick’s mother some pasta, I doled out a ladylike portion, and she replied, “Jesus Christ! Could you spare it?”) Two years ago, when I learned that my friend Paul’s Sicilian mother made a traditional pasta dish with garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs (symbolizing the carpenter-saint’s sawdust) for Saint Joseph’s Day, I hinted heavily that I would love to try it. The following March 19, Paul was selfishly on vacation in Florida (priorities!), but this year he was home and I was kindly invited. What a great night! Paul’s family was a treat, his mother a hoot! And the food! In addition to the Pasta con Muddica, there was a resplendent antipasto spread, stuffed artichokes, frittatas, sausages, Italian bread...and for dessert, zeppole di San Giuseppe (big cream-puff-like pastries with three kinds of filling: whipped cream, pastry cream and ricotta with chocolate chips.) Please, please, please invite me back again, Mrs. A.
What a laugh i had with the blog today. I remember many Irish people's eyes open wide at Charlotte's dinners..my friends would come and think exactly as you did at Nick's. All the courses, all that food. And we were all pretty slim then so I guess it had a lot to do with fresh ingredients and lovely preparation. I have a very beautiful Festa di San Giuseppe moment, too. Emilia was maybe 8....we were on yet another trip to Europe. Went to Siena on a gorgeous day like today...we were in the grand piazza and a very elegant old lady was walking the most adorable yorkie. Instead of having a typical American tacky elastic on its hair to hold it out of her eyes, the little dog had a crown of real pearls. So regal, so beautiful. Emilia was patting the little dog in the sunshine in a magnificient scene. Boy at times I wish i could freeze time. We then went to a little round church and everyone stood up for the Mass and off we went into the streets to zeppole...and was it delicious..so enjoy this feast day...my friend....you evoked a very pleasant memory for me.
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