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Nonna's House: Cooking and Reminiscing with the Italian Grandmothers of Enoteca Maria
Now a Netflix film!
Discover the heart and soul of Italian tradition with this exquisite collection filled with mouthwatering recipes and vibrant tales from the iconic grandmothers of Enoteca Maria—a one-of-a-kind Italian restaurant where a rotating roster of nonnas take center stage as master chefs.
“If you have a choice between a three-star Michelin chef’s and Grandma’s, where are you going to eat?” asks Jody Scaravella, owner of Enoteca Maria on Staten Island. “Well, I’m going to Grandma’s. I’m going to the source.”
At Enoteca Maria, the chefs are nonne, or Italian grandmothers, whose culinary expertise comes from years of cooking for their families. Now, they invoke the food wisdom, artisanal methods, and recipes—handed down for generations—that are indigenous to their regions of Italy. Each nonna/chef creates her menu from whatever looks inspiring in her pantry—spontaneously, the way family meals evolve. Here are the recipes and stories from the kitchen at Enoteca Maria, a beautiful compendium of food and nostalgia, capturing flavors from the heart of Italy.
Nonna’s House is much more than just a cookbook; it’s a journey into the kitchens of eight Italian grandmothers who bring their regional specialties to life. From the savory to the sweet, the recipes include unique dishes like cod with cauliflower, fig and nut crostata, eggplant with chocolate, and fried chickpea flour with fennel. Classic favorites such as gnocchi, pasta, risotto, and polenta are also featured, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
The story behind Enoteca Maria is as heartwarming as the dishes themselves. Jody Scaravella’s vision of a restaurant staffed by Italian grandmothers began with a simple ad in a Staten Island newspaper. The result is a beloved dining spot that is becoming a cultural phenomenon. The book’s beautiful, four-color design, complete with full-color photographs, makes it a perfect gift for anyone who cherishes authentic Italian cuisine and the stories that come with it.
Discover the heart and soul of Italian tradition with this exquisite collection filled with mouthwatering recipes and vibrant tales from the iconic grandmothers of Enoteca Maria—a one-of-a-kind Italian restaurant where a rotating roster of nonnas take center stage as master chefs.
“If you have a choice between a three-star Michelin chef’s and Grandma’s, where are you going to eat?” asks Jody Scaravella, owner of Enoteca Maria on Staten Island. “Well, I’m going to Grandma’s. I’m going to the source.”
At Enoteca Maria, the chefs are nonne, or Italian grandmothers, whose culinary expertise comes from years of cooking for their families. Now, they invoke the food wisdom, artisanal methods, and recipes—handed down for generations—that are indigenous to their regions of Italy. Each nonna/chef creates her menu from whatever looks inspiring in her pantry—spontaneously, the way family meals evolve. Here are the recipes and stories from the kitchen at Enoteca Maria, a beautiful compendium of food and nostalgia, capturing flavors from the heart of Italy.
Nonna’s House is much more than just a cookbook; it’s a journey into the kitchens of eight Italian grandmothers who bring their regional specialties to life. From the savory to the sweet, the recipes include unique dishes like cod with cauliflower, fig and nut crostata, eggplant with chocolate, and fried chickpea flour with fennel. Classic favorites such as gnocchi, pasta, risotto, and polenta are also featured, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
The story behind Enoteca Maria is as heartwarming as the dishes themselves. Jody Scaravella’s vision of a restaurant staffed by Italian grandmothers began with a simple ad in a Staten Island newspaper. The result is a beloved dining spot that is becoming a cultural phenomenon. The book’s beautiful, four-color design, complete with full-color photographs, makes it a perfect gift for anyone who cherishes authentic Italian cuisine and the stories that come with it.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 2, 2015
Nonna's House: Cooking and Reminiscing with the Italian Grandmothers of Enoteca Maria by Jody Scaravella is a wonderful cookbook that reads like a novel.
Enoteca Maria is an intimate, neighborly restaurant on Staten Island where all the cooking is done by ten nonnas (grandmothers) using their own family recipes handed down for generations. They include homemade pastas, risottos, desserts and much more beginning with a chapter on the art of preserving everything from olives to cured meats such as salami.
There are many color pictures showing the mouth-watering dishes with instructions that are simple and easy to follow.
The nonnas heartfelt, cherished memories depict their many struggles of years ago demonstrating the importance of love and family.
I highly recommend adding "Nonna's House..." to your library not only as a cookbook but as a delightful story.
Enoteca Maria is an intimate, neighborly restaurant on Staten Island where all the cooking is done by ten nonnas (grandmothers) using their own family recipes handed down for generations. They include homemade pastas, risottos, desserts and much more beginning with a chapter on the art of preserving everything from olives to cured meats such as salami.
There are many color pictures showing the mouth-watering dishes with instructions that are simple and easy to follow.
The nonnas heartfelt, cherished memories depict their many struggles of years ago demonstrating the importance of love and family.
I highly recommend adding "Nonna's House..." to your library not only as a cookbook but as a delightful story.
January 25, 2015
Nonna's House is not just only a cookbook filled with delizioso recipes but its filled with stories from Italians families that makes you understand the love of a family and their special family recipes. Nonna's House incorporates the love of food and the importance of family. This book is filled with so much heart, charm, history and love that you can't help but feel part of the women that took part in Nonna's House. I love getting glimpse of a family's past and at the same time, this book really highlights that food tastes better when you eat with family. So be prepared to be charmed with an Italian family's past and a book filled with yummy recipes that your family will love as well.
As for the recipes, the step by step instructions were easy to follow and simple for any novice person using this book.
As for the recipes, the step by step instructions were easy to follow and simple for any novice person using this book.
January 8, 2026
Enoteca Maria is located just 10 minutes from my family’s home on Staten Island, and whenever we drive past it, we say, “We should check that place out sometime.” After enjoying this little audiobook about its history and purpose, I definitely have a reason to do so!
This book made my Staten Island heart swell with pride, both for my borough and for my Italian-American ancestors who bravely made New York City their home with limited means, in a language they didn't speak. Hearing the stories of these 10 women reminded me of the courage, sadness, and confusion that must have accompanied my family’s journey to a place completely foreign to them.
My great-grandparents on both my mom’s and dad’s sides moved to NYC in the 1920s, facing significant language barriers and financial setbacks. For example, when my great-grandfather (Raffaele) was asked what he did for work on his naturalization papers, he simply wrote “Fruit” (he was a fruit seller alongside my other relatives, who were barbers and grocery store owners). This book really made me think about my ancestors, and I so badly wish I could meet them, love them, and hear about their experiences firsthand.
Another tiny note that this book brought to mind: I adored hearing about the kinds of romance that existed before the dawn of social media and technologically-mediated dating. Both in this book and in my family’s stories, there seem to be elements of persistence and intentionality that accompanied most romantic relationships (and I fear these elements aren’t as prevalent today… or maybe I’m just missing something lol).
All this to say, this little audiobook was such a wonderful backdrop for the past 2 WFH days, and I recommend it to any of my fellow Italian-American friends!
This book made my Staten Island heart swell with pride, both for my borough and for my Italian-American ancestors who bravely made New York City their home with limited means, in a language they didn't speak. Hearing the stories of these 10 women reminded me of the courage, sadness, and confusion that must have accompanied my family’s journey to a place completely foreign to them.
My great-grandparents on both my mom’s and dad’s sides moved to NYC in the 1920s, facing significant language barriers and financial setbacks. For example, when my great-grandfather (Raffaele) was asked what he did for work on his naturalization papers, he simply wrote “Fruit” (he was a fruit seller alongside my other relatives, who were barbers and grocery store owners). This book really made me think about my ancestors, and I so badly wish I could meet them, love them, and hear about their experiences firsthand.
Another tiny note that this book brought to mind: I adored hearing about the kinds of romance that existed before the dawn of social media and technologically-mediated dating. Both in this book and in my family’s stories, there seem to be elements of persistence and intentionality that accompanied most romantic relationships (and I fear these elements aren’t as prevalent today… or maybe I’m just missing something lol).
All this to say, this little audiobook was such a wonderful backdrop for the past 2 WFH days, and I recommend it to any of my fellow Italian-American friends!
February 4, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars. The truth is, I didn’t test one recipe from this cookbook so you may be wondering why the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars???? THE STORIES!!!! The stories from each of the ‘Nonnas’ are fabulous, and are a worthy read in themselves. The recipes DO look awesome and I do intend to try some out at a later date. But even for you who don’t cook, this may be the only cookbook you ever want to get!
December 8, 2025
Made me hungry
April 3, 2021
I loved reading all the stories of the Italian nonnas who cook at Enoteca Maria in New York! I definitely want to take a road trip to that restaurant to experience the Nonnas' home cooked authentic italian meals!
March 30, 2015
I was led to this book thanks to a mutual love that my girlfriend and I have for Italian cooking. I'm of mostly Polish heritage while she is German, so we have no Italian grandmothers to pump us full of homemade pastas and decedent desserts. So, I got a book that specialized in just that void that we have, and I was not disappointed. This is a gorgeous and heartfelt book.
It's clear that this book, and the restaurant that influenced it, is a labor of love. The beginning starts with a story of how it all began, and each recipe/section has more anecdotes and stories about the families that make it feel personal, like someone's grandmother is actually handing you a memory that's been cherished for generations. It's clear that they love each other and love food from the stories told and the recipes that are included. There are also plenty of family pictures, making it a bit like a diary or foodie scrapbook. I like it.
The pictures of the food are awesome too, they definitely make me want to try all of the things (and I will eventually, believe you me). The recipes in this book are sorted by course, with an added section for special holiday recipes. I really liked the variety of the recipes that are included, spanning from cold apps to desserts and everything in between. Vegetarian friends- there's also plenty of options for you in here, or recipes that can be adapted. I appreciated that there were also tips on how to change the recipes based on personal tastes and ingredient availability, as well as how some recipes may differ a bit depending on what part of Italy the person is from.
I want to make probably 95% of the recipes in this collection, but the ones that have me the most intrigued include: Chocolate Blood Pudding, Linguine with Cuttlefish and Its Ink, and My Prize Winning Meat and Three Cheese Lasagna with Eggplant, Asparagus, and Peas.
I recommend this book to any home cook who loves and appreciates good food steeped in tradition, or even just Italian food. I was provided a copy from Atria Books in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
It's clear that this book, and the restaurant that influenced it, is a labor of love. The beginning starts with a story of how it all began, and each recipe/section has more anecdotes and stories about the families that make it feel personal, like someone's grandmother is actually handing you a memory that's been cherished for generations. It's clear that they love each other and love food from the stories told and the recipes that are included. There are also plenty of family pictures, making it a bit like a diary or foodie scrapbook. I like it.
The pictures of the food are awesome too, they definitely make me want to try all of the things (and I will eventually, believe you me). The recipes in this book are sorted by course, with an added section for special holiday recipes. I really liked the variety of the recipes that are included, spanning from cold apps to desserts and everything in between. Vegetarian friends- there's also plenty of options for you in here, or recipes that can be adapted. I appreciated that there were also tips on how to change the recipes based on personal tastes and ingredient availability, as well as how some recipes may differ a bit depending on what part of Italy the person is from.
I want to make probably 95% of the recipes in this collection, but the ones that have me the most intrigued include: Chocolate Blood Pudding, Linguine with Cuttlefish and Its Ink, and My Prize Winning Meat and Three Cheese Lasagna with Eggplant, Asparagus, and Peas.
I recommend this book to any home cook who loves and appreciates good food steeped in tradition, or even just Italian food. I was provided a copy from Atria Books in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
October 15, 2026
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five-Star Review**
*Nonna's House: Cooking and Reminiscing with the Italian Grandmothers of Enoteca Maria* is a heartwarming cookbook that celebrates the beautiful connection between food, family, and tradition. What makes this book special is how it brings the warmth of an Italian grandmother's kitchen into the home, sharing not only recipes but also personal stories, cherished memories, and the cultural traditions behind the dishes.
I love the feeling of authenticity throughout this book. The recipes reflect the kind of home cooking that has been passed down through generations, where simple ingredients, patience, and love come together to create memorable meals. The stories add an extra layer of meaning, making the experience feel personal rather than simply instructional.
This cookbook is especially appealing to anyone who appreciates traditional Italian cuisine and enjoys learning about the people and experiences that shape a food culture. It inspires readers to slow down, cook with care, and recognize that some of the best meals are about much more than what is on the plate.
Overall, this is a wonderful addition to any cookbook collection. It offers delicious inspiration, cultural richness, and a comforting sense of nostalgia. I would happily recommend it to Italian food lovers, home cooks, and anyone who treasures the stories and traditions shared around the family table. A well-deserved five stars!
*Nonna's House: Cooking and Reminiscing with the Italian Grandmothers of Enoteca Maria* is a heartwarming cookbook that celebrates the beautiful connection between food, family, and tradition. What makes this book special is how it brings the warmth of an Italian grandmother's kitchen into the home, sharing not only recipes but also personal stories, cherished memories, and the cultural traditions behind the dishes.
I love the feeling of authenticity throughout this book. The recipes reflect the kind of home cooking that has been passed down through generations, where simple ingredients, patience, and love come together to create memorable meals. The stories add an extra layer of meaning, making the experience feel personal rather than simply instructional.
This cookbook is especially appealing to anyone who appreciates traditional Italian cuisine and enjoys learning about the people and experiences that shape a food culture. It inspires readers to slow down, cook with care, and recognize that some of the best meals are about much more than what is on the plate.
Overall, this is a wonderful addition to any cookbook collection. It offers delicious inspiration, cultural richness, and a comforting sense of nostalgia. I would happily recommend it to Italian food lovers, home cooks, and anyone who treasures the stories and traditions shared around the family table. A well-deserved five stars!
April 9, 2025
Food has a way of bringing people together, and the kitchen has always felt like the true heart of a home. This book brought me right back to my time living in Italy—where a kind, sweet grandmother who lived in my building took me under her wing and showed me how to make simple, beautiful dishes I still carry with me. I’ve never considered myself much of a cook, but when I think of Italy, the memories that come flooding back always involve long conversations, laughter, and food that seemed to stretch the hours.
This cookbook is more than just recipes. It feels like a collection of family stories passed down with love. Honestly, I think I’ve cherished the stories just as much as the recipes themselves. I’ve only made a couple so far, but the moment I saw the Risotto with Radicchio, I knew exactly what dinner would be. And with the first bite, I was transported—to a small table in northern Italy, back when my husband and I were dating. That one dish held a whole memory.
Isn’t it incredible how taste and smell can pull us back so vividly to a time and place? There’s comfort in that. There’s warmth. You can feel it on every page of this book. I can’t wait to try more—it’s like opening the door to beautiful moments all over again.
This cookbook is more than just recipes. It feels like a collection of family stories passed down with love. Honestly, I think I’ve cherished the stories just as much as the recipes themselves. I’ve only made a couple so far, but the moment I saw the Risotto with Radicchio, I knew exactly what dinner would be. And with the first bite, I was transported—to a small table in northern Italy, back when my husband and I were dating. That one dish held a whole memory.
Isn’t it incredible how taste and smell can pull us back so vividly to a time and place? There’s comfort in that. There’s warmth. You can feel it on every page of this book. I can’t wait to try more—it’s like opening the door to beautiful moments all over again.
September 15, 2026
★★★★★
Nonna’s House is a beautiful celebration of Italian food, family, tradition, and the stories that make recipes truly memorable. I loved how the cookbook goes beyond simply presenting dishes and gives readers a glimpse into the lives, memories, and cooking traditions of Italian grandmothers.
The recipes feel comforting and authentic, with the kind of warmth that makes you imagine sitting around a family table enjoying a homemade meal. There is something especially wonderful about the personal stories woven throughout the book, because they give each recipe a sense of history and personality.
This is a cookbook that feels like much more than a collection of recipes. It captures the joy of sharing food, preserving traditions, and passing beloved cooking knowledge from one generation to the next. The combination of heartfelt storytelling and delicious Italian cuisine makes it a truly enjoyable read.
A warm, inspiring, and memorable cookbook that I would happily recommend to anyone who loves Italian food and family traditions. Five stars!
Nonna’s House is a beautiful celebration of Italian food, family, tradition, and the stories that make recipes truly memorable. I loved how the cookbook goes beyond simply presenting dishes and gives readers a glimpse into the lives, memories, and cooking traditions of Italian grandmothers.
The recipes feel comforting and authentic, with the kind of warmth that makes you imagine sitting around a family table enjoying a homemade meal. There is something especially wonderful about the personal stories woven throughout the book, because they give each recipe a sense of history and personality.
This is a cookbook that feels like much more than a collection of recipes. It captures the joy of sharing food, preserving traditions, and passing beloved cooking knowledge from one generation to the next. The combination of heartfelt storytelling and delicious Italian cuisine makes it a truly enjoyable read.
A warm, inspiring, and memorable cookbook that I would happily recommend to anyone who loves Italian food and family traditions. Five stars!
January 8, 2023
The stories of the women who immigrated to America in the 50s, 60s & 70s, carrying their family recipes that provided some comfort & familiarity in a new world, are riveting!! The old country recipes, passed down for decades & in some instances, centuries, are sometimes too complex (and a little gross 😝 baked lamb's head anyone!!!) But the stories!!!
*These women formed a rotating group of cooks for NY's famous, unique (and still operating!) neighborhood restaurant called, Enoteca Maria
Ahhh, the stories ... of a proud, poor, hardworking people who found sustenance in what they grew, fished & shared with one another in Italy & tried to duplicate in America. I especially enjoyed the stories that featured foods from southern Italy where my own maternal family roots began. I will never make baked lamb's head but I did mark a number of recipes to try, like Neopolitan Potato Pie. Yum!!!
*These women formed a rotating group of cooks for NY's famous, unique (and still operating!) neighborhood restaurant called, Enoteca Maria
Ahhh, the stories ... of a proud, poor, hardworking people who found sustenance in what they grew, fished & shared with one another in Italy & tried to duplicate in America. I especially enjoyed the stories that featured foods from southern Italy where my own maternal family roots began. I will never make baked lamb's head but I did mark a number of recipes to try, like Neopolitan Potato Pie. Yum!!!
unlikely
June 4, 2025Listened to about 2 hours on audio, but didn't love the experience. A little hard to follow, with transitions between nonna stories not really done very well, in terms of the writing, the performance, and the production. A little more thought and care would have made this less confusing.
Maybe will pick it up as a regular book sometime? I didn't love the author's introduction, but maybe I'm being too hard on the name-dropping excitement over the movie adaptation. Leaving it unrated.
The restaurant obviously sounds lovely, though.
Maybe will pick it up as a regular book sometime? I didn't love the author's introduction, but maybe I'm being too hard on the name-dropping excitement over the movie adaptation. Leaving it unrated.
The restaurant obviously sounds lovely, though.
October 31, 2023
Love a cookbook that reads like a storybook.
This cookbook is a collection of stories and recipes from a group of immigrant Nonna’s that work in a restaurant. This restaurant was started by a man who was craving and missing a tight knit family. What a genius idea this man had when opening this restaurant. Don’t want to give too much away. Very heartwarming! I thought I was going to walk away with some new and inspiring recipes, I got so much more out of this book. Pleasantly surprised!
This cookbook is a collection of stories and recipes from a group of immigrant Nonna’s that work in a restaurant. This restaurant was started by a man who was craving and missing a tight knit family. What a genius idea this man had when opening this restaurant. Don’t want to give too much away. Very heartwarming! I thought I was going to walk away with some new and inspiring recipes, I got so much more out of this book. Pleasantly surprised!
April 30, 2025
What’s cooking up at your house tonight? That’s always the question isn’t it! I loved reading this beautiful copy of 𝙉𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖'𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 and getting lots of tasty Italian recipes along with heartfelt tales. Recipes and stories go hand in hand, so they always add something to the book. If you love cooking like me, hopefully this will be a five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read for you too. I want some Cannelloni Napoletani & a sweet treat after finishing this up!
April 19, 2019
Loved the stories (as an historian) it added so much to the book. Cannot wait to try the recipes!
May 17, 2024
fresh basil sauce
my nonna's tomato and eggplant sauce
October 13, 2024
There is a restaurant in NYC that has Italian grandma's as the chefs. They make their favorite dishes, and you eat what they have made. These are the stories and recipes of some of the chefs.
July 15, 2025
Great story total must read.
July 18, 2025
I loved the nonnas’ stories
September 10, 2025
I loved the personal stories of the Nonnas. I dream of their food. Even though the recipes are given, I won't make them myself. One day, maybe I'll visit the restaurant.
October 31, 2025
Italian American Boomer nostalgia.
March 14, 2015
The subtitle of this book explains what it is: Cooking and Reminiscing with the Italian Grandmothers of Enoteca Maria. Don't know this New York restaurant?
"Enoteca Maria takes great home cooking seriously. At this intimate, hospitable restaurant on Staten Island, all the cooking is done by ten nonnas (grandmothers), drawing on their own family recipes, handed down for generations, which reflect their regional traditions."
There are apartments and houses to rent in Italy that include the services of an Italian grandmother to cook your meals. The restaurateur was seemingly not inspired by that to create his restaurant. He explains in the book how it came about. He was:
"...looking for authenticity, to preserve vanishing traditions."
The Italian grandmothers come from diverse Italian regions, and their local specialties are respected, as can be seen in the mix of recipes in this cookbook/memoirs. The restaurant aims to feel the primal connection between food and family, so the recipes are original family fare.
I have to say that I found the memoirs parts of the book more interesting than the recipes. There are hundreds (thousands?!) of Italian cookbooks in print, each with sections mirroring this cookbook's from appetizers to desserts. But life stories of Italian grandmothers are a rarer read. That is what we get in most of the memoirs sections about the grandmothers who cook at Enoteca Maria (named for the restaurateur's grandmother), life stories of real personalities, real people.
Most fascinating to me is how moving to America freed these women from stifling Italian convention. They all express joy in being able to follow their culinary instincts to experiment with timeworn recipes. They take advantage of time-saving kitchen equipment. They improvise with seasonal ingredients. They cook for pleasure, as a creative outlet.
On top of all that, they recognize the liberation they enjoy in America, the freedom to earn a living, to divorce, to bring up their children as they see fit, to socialize and to embrace the excitement of living near New York City. And all of the grandmothers, most of whom have had very difficult childhoods, embrace the convenience of American living.
I read a review-copy.
Please visit my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
"Enoteca Maria takes great home cooking seriously. At this intimate, hospitable restaurant on Staten Island, all the cooking is done by ten nonnas (grandmothers), drawing on their own family recipes, handed down for generations, which reflect their regional traditions."
There are apartments and houses to rent in Italy that include the services of an Italian grandmother to cook your meals. The restaurateur was seemingly not inspired by that to create his restaurant. He explains in the book how it came about. He was:
"...looking for authenticity, to preserve vanishing traditions."
The Italian grandmothers come from diverse Italian regions, and their local specialties are respected, as can be seen in the mix of recipes in this cookbook/memoirs. The restaurant aims to feel the primal connection between food and family, so the recipes are original family fare.
I have to say that I found the memoirs parts of the book more interesting than the recipes. There are hundreds (thousands?!) of Italian cookbooks in print, each with sections mirroring this cookbook's from appetizers to desserts. But life stories of Italian grandmothers are a rarer read. That is what we get in most of the memoirs sections about the grandmothers who cook at Enoteca Maria (named for the restaurateur's grandmother), life stories of real personalities, real people.
Most fascinating to me is how moving to America freed these women from stifling Italian convention. They all express joy in being able to follow their culinary instincts to experiment with timeworn recipes. They take advantage of time-saving kitchen equipment. They improvise with seasonal ingredients. They cook for pleasure, as a creative outlet.
On top of all that, they recognize the liberation they enjoy in America, the freedom to earn a living, to divorce, to bring up their children as they see fit, to socialize and to embrace the excitement of living near New York City. And all of the grandmothers, most of whom have had very difficult childhoods, embrace the convenience of American living.
I read a review-copy.
Please visit my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
December 9, 2014
I'll just start by saying that this cookbook made me wish that I'd grown up Italian. With a Nonna and all of her own old world views and cooking techniques.
To me, this book was an awesome combination of memoir and recipe collection that focused on the history behind methods, recipes and techniques for each of these women.
The cuisine (mostly Northern Italian) was new to me and explored ingredients that I don't always associate with my highly Americanized pasta palate.
This book had me hooked and I read it cover to cover with no intention of cooking the recipes at the time, which is rare for me. I'll usually read parts of a cookbook as I try a recipe from it here and there. But in Nonna's House, I wanted to read all of their stories and see how the food shaped their lives. Like I said, I read it cover to cover without meaning to.
This is a rare example of a cookbook where the writing shines as brightly as the recipes.
To me, this book was an awesome combination of memoir and recipe collection that focused on the history behind methods, recipes and techniques for each of these women.
The cuisine (mostly Northern Italian) was new to me and explored ingredients that I don't always associate with my highly Americanized pasta palate.
This book had me hooked and I read it cover to cover with no intention of cooking the recipes at the time, which is rare for me. I'll usually read parts of a cookbook as I try a recipe from it here and there. But in Nonna's House, I wanted to read all of their stories and see how the food shaped their lives. Like I said, I read it cover to cover without meaning to.
This is a rare example of a cookbook where the writing shines as brightly as the recipes.
March 12, 2015
This was much more than just a cookbook. It is a filled with wonderful recipes and memories that will make you wish you grew up in an big Italian family. I love that the history behind the methods, recipes, and techniques for each of the women is shared. It makes you feel like you are a part of the family. The food is mostly Northern Italy and if you are like me growing up with the Americanized version of Italian food then you are in for the treat of your life. So grab your family, gather around the table, and get ready to enjoy some of the most mouth-watering food ever!
I received an ARC copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 12, 2016
This is not your usual Italian cookbook, it's hard core and shows you in the old country, they used every part of the animal in cooking, baking and preserving.
Jody Scaravella lost most of his family including parents and grandparents over a short amount of time. His way to honor them and to channel his grief was to open an Italian restaurant. He didn't staff it with traditional chefs, he placed an ad in an Italian language NYC newspaper looking for nonnas. That's Italian for grandmother and the resulting turn out was amazing as is the success of Enoteca Maria, the place named for his mother.
Not just recipes but the stories of the nonnas will enthrall you.
Jody Scaravella lost most of his family including parents and grandparents over a short amount of time. His way to honor them and to channel his grief was to open an Italian restaurant. He didn't staff it with traditional chefs, he placed an ad in an Italian language NYC newspaper looking for nonnas. That's Italian for grandmother and the resulting turn out was amazing as is the success of Enoteca Maria, the place named for his mother.
Not just recipes but the stories of the nonnas will enthrall you.
November 7, 2015
This is my kind of "cook book" as in, yes there are recipes, yes there are great photos, and YES stories-some of the sweetest stories of Italian women who ended up cooking at Nonna's House in Staten Island and how they got there. Looking forward to trying the Minestrone (northern style-with beets!)
August 22, 2025
✨3.5 stars✨
no real proper review for this one. i just came across it to get some audiobook hours off of my Spotify.
saw the movie prior to reading this and i have to say, if you want the proper story from the perspective of actual Italian nonna’s instead of people portraying the stereotypes, please consider reading this 🤗🌻✨
no real proper review for this one. i just came across it to get some audiobook hours off of my Spotify.
saw the movie prior to reading this and i have to say, if you want the proper story from the perspective of actual Italian nonna’s instead of people portraying the stereotypes, please consider reading this 🤗🌻✨
January 17, 2015
This is an interesting collection of family recipes. The "grandmothers" are not the generation I was thinking about when I started it, my grandmother's generation, the today's grandmothers. Interesting nonetheless.
June 29, 2015
Great stories about the Nonnas were almost better than the recipes. Wonderful photos. Some of the recipes had too many ingredients and steps for me to ever attempt but loved the book as a whole.
December 6, 2015
Very cute idea having Nonnas cook at your restaurant, but my nonna never made these kind of dishes. I did like the stories of their journeys to the USA, but just couldn't get into the recipes.
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