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Italian-Americans and the language of food: How calamari became galamar and ricotta became rigott
MSN ^ | 3/16/21 | Michael La Corte

Posted on 03/16/2021 5:30:13 PM PDT by nickcarraway

New Jersey is a wonderfully diverse place. Though a relatively small state, it has the highest population density in the U.S. It's also brimming with an immense amount of Italian-American residents.

I'm half-Italian, but I didn't grow up speaking a lick of the mellifluous tongue. From pizza and pasta to "The Sopranos," I was raised in a place where the notion of Italy is celebrated. However, it took me some time to note that this was not Italian culture, per se, but a slightly different "sect" altogether — an Italian-American history and culture that's rich in and of itself.

It wasn't until culinary school that I began to embrace all that the Italian-American experience has to offer, which is so much more than chicken parm. From bolognese and gnocchi to caponata and fennel, the breadth of Italian-American cuisine began to come into full view, and I've been eager to learn and consume as much as possible about the storied culture's food and history ever since. (It also didn't hurt that I have a killer Italian accent.)

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Local News
KEYWORDS: aleech; brahzhole; calamari; cookery; italian; pastafazool; reegut; squid
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To: gr8eman; Albion Wilde
I live in a lovely town where George Washington lived longer than any place outside of Virginia. Lots of trails and wildlife (deer, coyote, Turkey, foxes) in the surrounding area.

Too many people judge NJ by the towns that hug the turnpike, ie the chemical corridor. Its an amazingly diverse state considering its small size in terms of geography, race/ethnicity, relative quality of life, etc. The politics suck all over and even most of “South Jersey” is dominated by Dems and “Iggles” fans (Cape May County being the exception to the former).

61 posted on 03/17/2021 8:51:57 AM PDT by Clemenza
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To: 1Old Pro

Here’s how I learned how to say it from an Italian boyfriend who said gravy for sauce: Svoyatell. Bet that’s wrong, lol! We used to get them at Ferrara’s in Little Italy. So light and flaky! Can still hear that crunch from the first bite.


62 posted on 03/17/2021 8:58:36 AM PDT by EnquiringMind
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To: Clemenza; EnquiringMind; firebrand; Prov1322; dp0622
Never took time to find out why Italian Americans use the English word “gravy.”


It's not settled science! Here's a researched discussion:

Sauce or Gravy? The Secret, Fervent Debate at the Heart of the Italian American Spaghetti Dinner

63 posted on 03/17/2021 9:03:50 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them."—Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh)
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To: Albion Wilde

What makes it extra special is when you add ground up sausage into the sauce, serve it up in a bowl and then sprinkle some Romano and crushed red pepper. Great cold weather comfort food (Italian-style).


64 posted on 03/17/2021 9:05:13 AM PDT by MarDav
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To: EnquiringMind

When you hear that, run for the hills. You’re in the wrong place f you want authentic Italian food. And I’m from NJ, too.


65 posted on 03/17/2021 9:07:07 AM PDT by MarDav
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To: 1Old Pro

Are you talking about the pastry? My grandfather pronounced it spool yadell


66 posted on 03/17/2021 9:09:29 AM PDT by MarDav
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To: MarDav
Are you talking about the pastry? My grandfather pronounced it spool yadell

Yes and yes that is about how I've heard it pronounced.

67 posted on 03/17/2021 10:23:38 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: 1Old Pro

My grandfather was a napola-don (;>}


68 posted on 03/17/2021 10:28:50 AM PDT by MarDav
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To: MarDav

My grandparents on one side were born in Sicily.


69 posted on 03/17/2021 10:30:12 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: 1Old Pro

I’m part Italian and part Irish and today is St. Paddie’s Day. But you will not catch me eating an Irish meal today (or virtually any day). Probably have some ravioli or something. I can shake some parsley flakes on top for the “wearin’ of the green” look, I guess.


70 posted on 03/17/2021 11:00:43 AM PDT by MarDav
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To: gr8eman

You evidently didn’t see my town —— Gas lamps, woods, trees, a river, GREAT schools. Nice place. You gotta problem with that??


71 posted on 03/17/2021 11:08:16 AM PDT by Exit148
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To: Exit148

You left out “Great government”!


72 posted on 03/17/2021 1:06:23 PM PDT by gr8eman (Elder Non-Binary Sibling is Watching You!)
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To: Albion Wilde

In Brooklyn we called it gravy. Once we moved to Long Island, it became sauce.


73 posted on 03/17/2021 2:58:00 PM PDT by DLfromthedesert
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To: monkeyshine

Capicola


74 posted on 03/17/2021 2:59:24 PM PDT by Jim Noble (In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act)
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To: Truthoverpower
Philly influence. Philly has the BEST MANGIA Hands down-a ! Capisce?

I can still hear my grandmother's voice "mangia, mangia!"...all 98 pounds of her...

75 posted on 03/17/2021 3:07:32 PM PDT by Prov1322 (Enjoy my wife's incredible artwork at www.watercolorARTwork.com! (This space no longer for rent))
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To: MarDav
What makes it extra special is when you add ground up sausage into the sauce, serve it up in a bowl and then sprinkle some Romano and crushed red pepper. Great cold weather comfort food (Italian-style).

That sounds amazing! Thanks!

76 posted on 03/19/2021 7:48:00 PM PDT by Albion Wilde ("One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them."—Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh)
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