Why Growing Up Italian and Ellis Island Give Me the Strength to Succeed!
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Pride, respect and a strong determination to succeed are foremost when growing up Italian. My grandparents, born in Italy, came to America through Ellis Island
We read the manifests, their names and dates of arrival. They came growing up Italian, to America, bringing a dream of a better life, success in business and holding onto their rich Italian heritage. Growing up Italian, I found myself anxious to hear their stories, their traditions even though I lived them daily. I would always find myself sitting with my grandparents, listening to stories of the “old country.” They spoke very proudly of their heritage, yet they loved being in America and having the opportunities that America afforded all people.
...to their house to “break bread” ...Both my grandfathers started and grew very successful businesses. One was in landscaping and the other in construction. Whoever thought Ellis Island would be a gift even though it was pretty gruesome... They worked hard. They provided for their families and embraced any chance they had to help newcomers to become successful. Once you were invited to their house to “break bread” you were a friend for life, and, they loved to eat! My grandmother’s family owned and operated a boarding house, which my great grandmother ran. My grandmother cooked for 8 to 20 people at a time. All the meals were made from scratch and all vegetables were grown in a garden. As I grew older, I was not only intrigued with the dishes she made, but how she put them together. I would spend hours in the kitchen with her… watching and learning how she cooked while learning to cook. My passion for cooking became strong.
...Citizen soldier...Fast forward to the early seventies when I married and started a family. My cooking confidence was not as focused as it is today. My husband, a dual career Citizen soldier, charmed that I could cook, was rarely home for him to eat a sit-down meal so he would eat out then go to his avocation. I became creative and began cooking on weekends, meals that we could eat and he could quickly prepare when he had to leave for his second career. He loved the idea of me preparing meals to eat during the week, but more than that, he loved my cooking! For these reasons, we decided to put together a basic cookbook titled “Recipes from Louise” straight from the recipe card box grandmother so cherished. The recipes have been taste tested for many years. Some we ate regularly, others were prepared for special occasions or everyday delicious meals that tasted even better reheated.
I was working two part-time jobs...In the modern era of prepared foods, I learned to use the same basic recipe my grandmother used, but modified them to fit our busy lifestyle. My husband, even working dual careers started his own part-time business. I was working two part-time jobs and was a home-maker. This truly was not growing up Italian nor was it something my mother had to do when raising us kids. Slowly my world turned into full-time work when our daughter started school. But, I still prepared lunches, cooked dinners, cleaned house as well as practiced making pasta recipes which included lasagna, meatballs, fetticini noodles and homemade sauce. It was a fast twenty-five years, and just about every weekend we had friends over for either Saturday or Sunday dinner. It was a lot of work, but I would not have had it any other way. It gave me great satisfaction being able to put a great meal that rarely had any leftovers.
...diagnosed with cancer...Six years ago, after learning my father was diagnosed with cancer and my mother’s fear that she might be alone, my husband and I, after great deliberation, decided to give back to parents that had been giving all of their married lives. We were empty nesters. We sold our home and relocated. Within a couple of years, we purchased their home. Becoming caregivers, new jobs, new state, the transition from empty nesters to caregivers and huge mortgage, it became even more important to coordinate our time between all the responsibilities. The transition was a huge responsibility and our lives have not been the same since. But our strong committment and sense of respect for each other has gotten us through to this point. However when I think of all those who passed through Ellis Island I truly am grateful for all I have.
I pulled every resource of inner strength,...A little over two years ago, my mother suddenly passed away. My father was devastated. My mother, in the tradition of the Old Italian marriage, doted on my father; he was the king of the household. I pulled every resource of inner strength, not only had I lost my mother whom I was very close, I also was now worried about my father, a man who had just lost his wife of 56 years. He was now "on his own" but not living alone. One day at a time is my mantra and is the only way I can emotionally handle things. Since the loss of my mother, my passion for cooking has fast become a creative outlet for me. I cook almost every night of the week, and when I do not cook, we are having home cooked leftovers.
My father is still able to say...On weekends, I am able to spend time in the kitchen, creating and modifying the recipes that everyone has enjoyed through the years, and yes, making mini-meals for Dad and my husband. My father is still able to say “it tastes just like your mother made.” Now that's growing up Italian for you... My husband is as he always has been, supportive as he does the cleanup with my father. He also drives a hundred miles a day and maintains our web site, still not forgetting my grandmother and my mother. My daughter is married and appears to be a career woman as a member of the United States Coastguard. She loves her grandfather and grandmother and the stories she heard about growing up Italian. Stationed in the northeast, she and her family knows where they can come and get a great meal that her great grandmother and grandfather inspired, even though they have to drive a long distance to get here. It is our hope her next station will be even closer, however as we know very well, as a member of the United States Military, you serve at the descretion of the Commander-In-Chief and go where you are needed.
...growing up Italian norcoming through Ellis Island ...As you try the recipes from our original Recipes From Louise cookbook, know they have been created from the heart and have been in our family over eighty years of growing up Italian. When you try recipes from contributing homemakers and cooks, know that we gave them a try too so we could give back to those to help us keep this web site exciting. And remember, growing up Italian nor coming through Ellis Island is not a prerequisite for being a great cook. And you don't have to be a trained chef to prepare a great tasting meal for your family or submit to our site. You just have to have a little passion and heart. And if your desire is to give back to others but don't know how, let your passion be your guide and allow us to show you how our passion is giving back while paying it forward. Chris P.S. - Like many homemakers, I use very few special kitchen utensils, but my husband is a "gadget guy" and loves it when he finds a kitchen tool that helps in the preparation or cleanup. He was always amazed that my grandmother used no gadgets. So when he finds a neat kitchen gadget he uses to help, you will get a personal review and recommendation from him.
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