Cooking Cousin Revisit Gnocchi & Raviloi Dinners

A group of people standing in front of an oven.

Cooking Cousins Attempt Nona's Gnocchi

Our gnocchi al canto del cucina aprons were a gift from Nanette. 
(Note the Gromignana sign pictured on the front of the apron, so sweet!)

In March, 2023, Edamarie invited her Mattei cousins to visit her beautiful house in Maryland to cook up some family favorite recipes. The weekend included an attempt to recreate our grandmother in Cincinnati's gnocchi dinner. While we made an hell of an attempt it was agreed by all who had the pleasure of gnocchi at Nona's house that she would never be matched as the softness and pillowy potato pasta was Nona's speciality. Even with practice over the years, and possible close reproductions, there will never be a gnocchi dinner to match the delcious memories our Nona created in her small kitchen on Courtland Avenue. We could recreated the recipe but not the loving touch she always added to her meals. Shared below is a photo of and her recipe. Nona often served her gnocchi on Fridays with just a light butter sauce and grated cheese.

Three women are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
A group of women standing around a table.
Three women holding glasses of drinks in their hands.
Gnocchi
A group of people sitting around a table.

Gnocchi recipe right.
Left: Nona's kitchen circa 1952. Nona standing (far right) next to her "ice-a-boxa". Standing far left, Nona's youngest son, Bob. Sitting (L-R) Uncle Mike (Nona's brother-in-law, with her oldest grandchild, Mike, sitting on his lap, Mary Jane and Della, Nona's two daughter-in-laws at the time. 

RAVIOLI REVIVAL

After hours of stuffing various raviloi fillings the Cooking Cousins toasted to the ravioli revival then sat down to taste and decide which family ravioli version of filling and sauce was the best. After a lot of eating and vino imbibing there was no clear winner. Just alot of delicious memories!!!

Three women in aprons preparing food on a table.
A group of people in aprons standing around a kitchen.
A group of people in aprons preparing food.
A bed with many sheets of paper on it

Barbara sewed us all la cucina di Famiglia RAVIOLI aprons. We were well dressed for success!

A table set with yellow flowers and wine.

SALUTE!
AND MANY THANKS TO EDAMARIE & CHRIS FOR HOSTING THE COOKING COUSINS WEEKEND!