Skip to Content
Advertisement
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.

More Stories

A Festival of Fire and Pumpkins in Orsara di Puglia

For one night each November, the living gather to guide the souls of the dead home.

October 5, 2026

Filippo Berio’s CEO on Sponsoring the Columbus Day Parade

Appetito talks with Giacomo Campinoti, CEO of Filippo Berio, about their inaugural sponsoring of the Columbus Day Parade in NYC.

October 5, 2026

What an Italian Proverb About Cake Teaches Us About Imperfection

Not everything turns out as planned. Italians have a proverb for that, and it comes with pastry.

October 5, 2026

Sunday Shop: Elevating Our Kitchen Cabinet With Gina DeSantis Ceramics

Morgan Hines seeks out the best in not only food and drink but style, housewares, and more. Welcome to Appetito’s Sunday Shop!

October 4, 2026

A Sparkling Autumnal Sip: La Marca’s Fall Fig Spritz

Fresh figs and honey bring a seasonal touch to a sparkling classic.

October 2, 2026

Dinner for One Deserves Pumpkin Vodka Pasta 

A meal for yourself can be made with the same care as one shared with company.

October 2, 2026