Seasonal Recipes

Rossella and her Nonna teach us to make a wonderful pasta with peas – perfect for spring! 

My maternal grandparents were born on the shores of Sicily in the little village of Santo Stefano di Camastra, a sleepy place with stunning views sweeping north across the turquoise blue sea.  They braved the ocean voyage to travel to …

When we were kids, early spring presented us with an additional family activity.  After dinner was done and the kitchen was clean, my mother would grab a couple of grocery bags and her trusty kitchen knife and off we went. …

As spring turns to summer and the days grow longer, life starts to move outdoors to take advantage of the glorious summer season.  We here in America love grilling outdoors and for many of us that love for grilling originated …

Meaning ‘squashed’ or ‘flattened’ in Italian, schiacciata is also a name given to an Italian pizza/bread that has a myriad of variations throughout Italy. This recipe for schiacciata with onion, potato, tomato sauce, and ground meat comes to us from …

Spring is here, and that means sweet tender vegetables, micro greens, and a profusion of young herbs. While at my neighborhood Farmer’s Market this week, I purchased some wonderful carrots. Sweet and juicy, packed with sugary carrot flavor, they were …

Spring is in full swing. Last spring, when we were in Marche, Italy, fava beans were coming into the local farm stands right about this time of year. In Southern California, you can find them ready to shell at local …

There are several variations of gnocchi, but this classic potato gnocchi is a must have in your recipe collection. A simple tomato sauce or even spiced up a bit, make these gnocchi irresistible. It is commonly believed that gnocchi are …

I tend to get emotional in spring, especially at the farmer’s market. The colors at the market turn from the winter beiges to the vibrant glorious hues of spring. Fresh picked asparagus. Piles of glorious leeks. Fresh peas in a …

‘Peperonata’. A southern Italian mixture of peppers, eggplant, and potatoes with tomato and basil. I guess you could say it is the Italian version of a stirfry or ratatouille. What I do know is “I LOVE IT AND SO WILL …