Old world traditional foods never go out of style. From the simple basic on hand ingredients, we are able to transform the most delicious comfort foods that have now become staples in our homes. I describe these foods as “modest foods for lifetime”, recipes that can be utilized over and over because they make sense, taste good and are easy to make.

As leaves turn to an array of beautiful colors during the crisp autumn months, we desire to enjoy or crave warm oven baked foods. Be prepared to embrace winter by filling your pantry closet with the most basic ingredients chickpeas, split peas, lentils, beans for a variety of soups and hearty stews. Turn plain basic split peas into a soothing creamy delicious soup by adding smoked pancetta and potatoes. Make this old timely dish “Pasta Fagioli” or “pasta fazool” a bean soup with a light broth tomato sauce, full of protein and always enjoyed with a glass of red wine.

Vegetables that are usually grilled are now steamed or oven baked for that warm taste. Meats and fish that are usually fired up are now braised or roasted for that real home cooked flavor. Homemade savory flavored breads with olives, sun dried tomatoes, pancetta or simply rosemary and garlic can add a substantial feeling to any meal. 

For a satisfying food experience around the Thanksgiving table this year, bring the flavors of Italian food by using all that is available to us from nature’s bounty. Make an assorted vegetable stuffing using eggplant, yellow and green squash, mushrooms, and asparagus. Bring simple potatoes elegantly to the table by marinating and roasting them in extra virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper and fresh rosemary. Stuffed artichokes are served as a side dish and make sure you make scrumptious stuffed mushrooms as part of your hot appetizers.


On Christmas Eve, the menu calls for strictly seafood, a large array of assorted fish, with “Zuppa de Pesce” a must. Chestnuts, often a key component to enhance the Christmas feeling with Chestnut pie “Castanaccio” boiled chestnuts or the traditional roasted chestnuts. Christmas Day is the most opulent feast day of the year. The traditional fare for this day is celebrated with a starter of either cold or hot appetizers, baked lasagna or baked manicotti for first course and Roasted Leg of Lamb with all the trimmings for secondo. The usual desserts are Sweet Ricotta Pie and Struffoli, honey coated clusters topped with roasted nuts and semi sweet chocolate.