Abbacchio alla romana, Roman Style Roast Lamb, or abbachio alla cacciatora as it is called by Romans themselves, is perhaps the most iconic main course for Easter dinner in the Eternal City. The preparation is a simple pan roast in the Italian manner, with a twist. You cut up the … Read More
Pasta salmone e piselli (Pasta with Salmon and Peas)
A quick and easy dish that doesn’t skimp on looks or flavor, pasta salmone e piselli (Pasta with Salmon and Peas) is a staple in our home. We have this or something similar for dinner just about weekly. Don’t ask me why I haven’t gotten around to posting a recipe … Read More
Zeppole di San Giuseppe
Father’s Day in Italy is coming up on March 19, la festa di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day. This holiday has given rise to any number of special dishes, some of which such as bignè di San Giuseppe and the pasta con la mollica we’ve already featured on this blog. … Read More
Frandura di Montalto (Ligurian Potato Pie)
I learned about this week’s dish, a Ligurian potato pie called frandura di Montalto, from fellow food blogger Josephine Wennerholm, author of one of my favorite Italian cookery blogs, Frascati Cooking That’s Amore. Jo, who lives in the Alban Hils outside Rome, says she learned about frandura on Italian TV … Read More
Involtini di verza con merluzzo e patate (Cod and Potato Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
It may come as a surprise to some, but Italians make stuffed cabbage. The dish, which they call involtini di verza or cabbage rolls, is especially popular in the central and northern regions of the country. If you’ve traveled to Italy as a visitor, however, you may not have come … Read More
Zuppa di lenticchie e porri (Lentil and Leek Soup)
Regular readers of this blog will know that lentils are my favorite legume. I adored my grandmother Angelina’s pasta e lenticchie as a kid, and I still love just about anything made with lentils, including of course soup. Zuppa di lenticchie or lentil soup is a winter standby in Italian … Read More
Pesto di cavolo nero (Tuscan Kale Pesto)
Generally speaking I’m not a picky eater. Just the opposite in fact. There are very few things I won’t eat or at least try. I’ve had alligator in Florida, live lobster sashimi and rattlesnake in New York, fried lamb’s brains and pasta with calf’s intestines in Rome, fermented cassava balls … Read More
Sporcamuss
I had the delightful confection called sporcamuss in Bari during our trip last April to Puglia. Even though I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, it was love at first bite. Perhaps because it leaned into the rich and creamy with only a passing nod to the sweet? Whatever … Read More