La Buona Tavola

Baccalà and stoccafisso: who hasn’t had them at least once in their lifetime? Maybe, if you come from a pretty traditional Italian family, you may have had them not so long ago, on Christmas Eve, as part of the traditional …

A cynic of Italian cuisine — a non-Italian — once observed that a  typical Italian diet consists mostly of pasta, pasta, and more pasta. While it’s true that most Italians and many Italian-Americans consume pasta by the bowlfuls on a regular …

Ricotta is so versatile and so good. A simple dash of lemon juice and a spoonful of sugar, and we have a light, refreshing dessert. Some honey and cinnamon and we already feel closer to the Middle East, while chocolate chips …

No sooner than Santa Claus leaves, another mythical character arrives. The glow of the holidays fades into the gloom of January, with at least a three-month visit from Old Man Winter. But if sticking around and dealing with snow, ice, …

To be truthful, artichokes are almost a mystery outside of the Mediterranean: yes, we find jars of them on the shelves of our local grocery stores, but the fresh variety remains a bit of a rarity. Mind, carciofi are a …

The mere mention of pistachios evokes a variety of visions. Cooks use them in almost anything and everything. Sports fans consider them a perfect snack while watching a ballgame on TV. Nutritionists say they are abundant in vitamins. In the …

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Opening line in “The Christmas Song.” When late singer-songwriter Mel Torme composed those lyrics 77 years ago, he perhaps envisioned the dark brown nuts roasting on stands at street …

Up north, some villages could be under a blanket of snow driven by harsh winds. Down south, most towns bask in warm sunshine brushed by gentle breezes. The climate may vary, but all of Italy embraces one common denominator during …

Taralli are a recent culinary obsession of mine. It all began one evening when I received an impromptu invitation for dinner from a friend, who set up a quick aperitivo, too: a glass of white, some parmesan cubes, and cold …

For those who relish serious dining, especially during the holidays, there are three basic steps to bring an enjoyable meal to a fulfilling finish: make room for a tempting dessert; sip a soothing post-meal wine like Sherry or Port; match …