Category: southern Italy

Pasta alla Norma or Pasta with Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, and Ricotta

Pasta alla Norma or Pasta with Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, and Ricotta

Pasta Alla Norma or Pasta with Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, and Ricotta is perhaps the most popular pasta dish to emanate from Sicily.  Pasta alla Norma dates back to the 19th century and the legend goes that it was so popular that it was named after Sicilian composer Bellini’s successful opera Norma to honor both the dish and the opera (according to […]

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What is Italian Mozzarella

What is Italian Mozzarella

Mozzarella has its origins in southern Italy and is a fresh cheese originally made from (water) bufala (female water buffalo) milk  but nowadays is usually made from whole, cow’s, milk.  The technique used to produce mozzarella, and other fresh cheeses,  is referred to as Pasta filata (i.e., “spun paste”) also known as stretched-curd, pulled-curd, and plastic-curd cheeses (which are usually also […]

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Sweet and Sour Eggplant (Melanzane in Agrodolce)

Sweet and Sour Eggplant (Melanzane in Agrodolce)

Our standard pickled eggplant recipe, or  Melanzane Sott’Olio, is a staple in our household, but when we crave a slightly more refined version, with a bit less work, we turn to sweet and sour eggplant or melanzane in agrodolce. Most melanzane in agrodolce begin by frying the eggplant but our version includes a quick boil and steeping technique that yields wonderfully delicate […]

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Grilled Swordfish

Grilled Swordfish

Grilled Swordfish Recipe Head to Bagnara Calabra, located on a tiny sliver of the Tyrrhenian coast, during the month of July and you’ll encounter the swordfish sagra (or festival of the swordfish) to honor local fisherman.  The sagra, like all food festivals in Italy, honor not only the food product but the people and traditions surrounding the region (in the case of festival […]

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Italian Easter Bread or Pane di Pasqua

Italian Easter Bread or Pane di Pasqua

Italian Easter Bread or Pane di Pasqua For as long as I can remember my mother made multiple Easter rings or baskets with eggs (known as Italian Easter Bread, Pane di Pasqua ,Cuzzuppe di Pasqua , Ciambelle Dolci, Pupi Con L’uova <or Easter Dolls >).  My mother varied her recipe at times making a savory version versus the sweet recipe I will be highlighting […]

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Grilled Eggplant with Herbs, Garlic, and Vinegar (Melanzane Arrostite)

Grilled Eggplant with Herbs, Garlic, and Vinegar (Melanzane Arrostite)

(photo: grilled eggplant with herbs, garlic, vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil or melanzane arrostite) Eggplant is consumed en mass in southern Italy and you see melanzane as a parmigiana, of course, pickled in olive oil and vinegar, slowly roasted and simmered for pasta alla norma, and my favorite preparation grilled with herbs, garlic, and vinegar.  

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