Skip to Content
Features

An Ode to Our Nonnas

A regular column at Appetito will feature the recipes from the Nonnas of our respective contributors.

10:04 AM EST on November 14, 2023

Rossella Rago and her Nonna Ninette Romano.

Rossella Rago and her Nonna Ninette Romano.

We at Appetito were thrilled with our wide-ranging, entertaining and insightful interview with food diva Rossella Rago. We were also inspired by her mission to champion grandmothers everywhere, to give them the recognition they deserve, in many respects, but particularly by showcasing the value their cooking has in our lives (even in the cases where they are no longer with us).

With this type of tribute in mind, we decided to dedicate a new column to the recipes of the respective nonnas of Appetito contributors and readers (see below for submission instructions). First up is our Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Cotto, who shares this recipe from his maternal grandmother, Phyllis Maccarrone, for her Veal Spiedini.

Editor's Note: If you would like to submit your own "Ode to Nonna" please provide the following to: andrew@appetitomagazine.com.

  1. A brief (1-3 paragraph) introduction to your nonna.
  2. A related recipe with precise ingredient measurements and instructions.
  3. Two hi-res (minimum 1020 pixels wide) horizontal photos (one featuring your nonna, and one of the finished dish).

Submissions are not a guarantee of publication.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Fresh Pasta in a Centuries-Old Cave in Umbria

At Le Grotte del Funaro in Orvieto, a leisurely lunch pairs local dishes with the town’s underground history.

September 29, 2026

The Flame, the Field and the Sourdough: A New Wave of Pizza

How the American farm-to-table movement is redefining today’s pizza.

September 29, 2026

Hotel Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento Is Sublime Luxury

Our Editor-in-Chief has an experience with wonder while visiting the Hotel Bellevue Syrene in the city of Sorrento.

September 29, 2026

Memory not Maxxing when Making a Nonna Recipe

Inspired by the recent trend, our Editor-in-Chief pays homage to his Nonna with the recipe to her signature chicken dish.

September 28, 2026

The Greatest Tomatoes Really Do Come from Europe

Our Editor-in-Chief traveled to Campania to find out what makes the tomatoes of Europe the world's greatest.

September 28, 2026

Mondays with Michele: Fig, Olive Oil and Honey Cake

Fresh figs and honey make this simple Italian cake a treat for breakfast, afternoon coffee or dessert.

September 28, 2026