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.

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 from Appetito

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Parmigiana Recipe for Summer Grilling

Craving something rich and satisfying without meat? This grilled portobello mushroom parmigiana delivers bold flavor straight from the grill.

May 6, 2026

Timballo di Anelletti at Alessandro’s Italian Brings Sicily to the Plate

In Regional Italian Series Episode Two, Sicily takes focus through a refined timballo di anelletti that balances tradition with a more precise approach.

May 6, 2026

Chef Adrianne Calvo’s Squid Ink Linguine with Clams Recipe

This recipe for squid ink linguine vongole combines clams, garlic, white wine, and lemon in a simple sauce.

Human Zero Waste: How a Sicilian Kitchen Became a Classroom

In Catania, a chef is using the kitchen to teach young people about food, community, and possibility.

Mediterranean Diet Comes to the World Bank with New Global Focus

At a World Bank gathering in Washington, the Mediterranean Diet is presented not just as a way of eating, but as a model for health, culture, and global policy.

May 4, 2026

How Not to Throw an Italian Wedding Feast

In Italian, something modest cannot pass for something grand.

May 4, 2026
See all posts