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WEEK 210 MENU: March 26-31, 2024

Happy Florentine New Year, Dante “Buon Capodanno / Happy New Year” could be heard again in the streets of Florence last week. The traditional Florentine New Year always has been celebrated on March 25, the feast day of the Annunciation. To add to these festivities, last year, the Italian government announced the establishment of a National Dante Day or “DanteDi” to be observed annually on March 25. Dante Alighieri is considered the father of modern literature and perhaps the greatest poet of all time. He was born in Florence (Tuscany) in 1265 and died in Ravenna (Emilia Romagna) in 1321, making this year the 702th anniversary of his death.  This week’s menu takes inspiration from both regions that were home to Dante. 

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WEEK 209 MENU: March 19-24, 2024

Umbria: Italy's Green Heartland One of Italy’s smallest regions, Umbria tends to get short shrift, overshadowed by its illustrious neighbor, Tuscany. But in Italy it is known as its “cuore verde”, green heart, where it maintains long-standing traditions of agriculture, art, and spirituality. Umbrians believe that because it is in the center of the Italian peninsula, it is the center of the world! It has been muse to writers, poets, and painters throughout the ages with an inherent mystical link noted as far back as the Etruscans.The cooking is simple in Umbria. It has a relaxed approach and serves whatever happens to be in season. The menu this week highlights its plethora of vegetables, freshwater trout and of course the...

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WEEK 208 MENU: March 13-17, 2024

It Matters Not if you are Irish or Italian Ireland is gearing up to embrace the return of St. Patrick’s Day 2024. The entire country will take to the streets to celebrate with parades, live music, dancing and a massive four-day festival. Likewise, the Italians are looking forward to reuniting once again to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day on the 19th, their national Father’s Day. Our menu this week is a playful rendition of Irish and Italian recipes.

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WEEK 207 MENU: March 5-10, 2024

Viva le Donne!  Matriarchs of Italian Culinary Tradition It is a responsibility to carry the torch. Once you have been welcomed into the fold, nurtured, and taught, you feel you must carry on the tradition – you WANT to carry on the tradition. For generations, Italian women have preserved and passed on the recipes, rules, and secrets of their mothers and grandmothers in an ongoing rite of passage. They are the keepers of culinary folklore and memories deeply rooted in family history. Every year, on International Women’s Day, my thoughts return to my mentors in our trattoria’s kitchen. This week, I revisit recipes handed down from my “Mamme Italian

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WEEK 206 MENU: February 27 - March 3, 2024

Comfort Foods Unite This week's menu was inspired by comforting foods - those that only Nonna cooks to make us feel better.  When dealing with uncertainties, food connects us with our past and reminds us that we are not alone.

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