SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
"It's Really Italian" !!!
.
.
LASAGNA CARNEVALE alla NAPOLETANA Has Little Meatballs Inside
.
Mangia Bene !!!
Sicilian American Wedding Dinner
Pasta Seduta from Puglia
are Ziti (Zite) Baked with Meatballs & Mozzarella
In Sicily Zite used to be the Riguer at Weddings Maccarrune di Zita was served with stew pork or Meatballs and was made in large quanities as it was the tradition to bring a hearty plate of pasta as a gift to neighbors both rich and poor. Today in Sicily the word Zite means Bride. Maccheroni di Zita got its name from its role in wedding banquets, the name meant Maccheroni della Sposa, "of the Bride." A little before my time, most Italian-American Weddings were helf in family homes at local club or in a church basement or similar circumstance and the food was made by friends and family and not a caterer. By the time I was a child often at birthday parties, baby christenings or wedding rehearsals, the family would make it's own food for the event and not have it catered. And I remember at all these Christening and what-not, the spread of food was usually Mixed Antipasto Platters and trays of Eggplant Parmigiano and Baked Ziti, along with all sorts of sweet treats like Cannolis, Cookies, and cakes for the dessert course.
Ah, "the Good Old Day," those dishes cooked by my Aunts Helen and Fran along with my Uncle Tony who was quite a good cook as well, were better than any catered wedding or other party I've ever been to. No comparison. Basta !
.
RECIPES FROM MY SICILIAN NONNA
.
.
SUNDAY SAUCE
When Italian-Americans Cook
The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK
by Danny Bolognese
.
.