Category Archives: vegetable

a Stemperata

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Peter Bocchieri

My father used to talk about his mother and aunts making this dish in Italy. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember eating this as a child, the same way I remember eating caponatina. The smell of the … Continue reading →

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Spinach Mpanada

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Peter Bocchieri

This spinach filled mpanada was another staple for Christmas Eve dinner. Along with the broccoli pie and scaciatta, these savory pies were always a big hit. Whatever we didn’t finish on Christmas Eve was always on hand for breakfast the … Continue reading →

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Chick Pea Meatballs – Polpette di Ceci

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Peter Bocchieri

  I have been cooking since I was 10 years old. Always loved it. Never even gave it a second thought.  I guess you could say I was a natural, whatever that is. When I see people toil over the … Continue reading →

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Pasta cui vroccoli arriminati – Pasta with Cauliflower

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

It’s amazing the things we remember growing up. Back in the 60’s I used to watch a TV show that featured the “Cool Ghoul”, Zacherley. Zacherley used to host programs that showed horror movies and back in the 60’s he hosted Chiller Theatre, … Continue reading →

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Grandma’s Eggplant Parmigiana

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

The way my grandmother made eggplant parmigiana is noting like you get today. First she never breaded the eggplant. Second she did not use mozzarella cheese.  No mozzarella cheese??? How can it be eggplant parmigiana without mozzarella cheese?   If it … Continue reading →

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Polpette di Melanzane – Eggplant Patties

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

Many Italian families on my block had fig trees in their back yards. And as kids, when we discovered them, we would go on a marauding fig feast, raiding every one’s back yard that had figs.  There was nothing quite as … Continue reading →

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Sicilain Fried Peppers

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

When I see red peppers at the market I think of roasting them over an open fire. The aroma that comes from roasting peppers is heaven. In an earlier blog I gave you a recipe for roasted pepper salad. Pick … Continue reading →

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Nonna's Zucchini Fritters 2.0

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

OK, so I stand corrected. After posting zucchini fritters on my blog, paying tribute to Grandma Isabella, I heard from my son Michael. I got it all wrong.  I’m only human! I formulated her fritters from how I recalled she made it. … Continue reading →

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Zucchini Fritters

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

Zucchini is very abundant in the summer time. When I used to grow it in my back yard I would make daily trips to my neighbors giving away zucchini. And when one or two fruits stayed on the bush too … Continue reading →

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Scarola e Fasoli – Escarole and Beans

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Peter Bocchieri

As much as I love to cook, there are just some things I just don’t make as good as Grandma Isabella, as far as my sons are concerned.  My son Joseph even says that my chilled espresso does not taste … Continue reading →

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