Torta Della Nonna

Italian Sweet Pies

The Italian word TORTA means both cake and pie. In my family it always means a delicious sweet pie. Of the three sweet tortas most often served, my favorite, and the sweetest of all, is the chocolate torta. Chocolate torta is a mainstay, always found on the dessert table at family celebrations. The other two, spinach and lemon rice tortas, find their way annually onto the Easter dessert menu. Most recently family members, like my cousins David and Connie shared a lovely addition of a Crostata di Frutta, to their Easter meal. And while the torta tradition continues, passing on these delicious memories is getting more difficult. The family millennials (our “echo boomers”) appear resistant to time consuming meal and dessert prep times. Thankfully, as my cousin Mary Sue shares, her grandchildren are more willing to learn.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF CAROLINE’S TORTA ADVENTURE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS & MARY SUE AND DAVID’S DELICIOUS TORTA MEMORIES

Sweet Tortas: A Brief History

From our family oral history we know that sweet tortas were popular in Tuscany where our family origins have roots. Some say these sweet torta origins are found in Liguria. However, the neighboring provinces of Florence and Arrezzo battle over the sweet torta invention. Most food historians believe that the Nonna della Torta, as known in Tuscany, is the early 20th century invention of chef Dan Lorenzo, a Florence restaurateur. While I believe this chef’s creation may be the source of the name (grandma’s cake/pie), I know for certain that my great grandmothers were making sweet tortas in Gromignana as early as the early 1800s. My grandmother and her sister, Dorina, both learned torta making from their mother. I also know that our family torta recipes are unique.

The Information Age & Food Traditions

“The Information Age (also known as the Computer AgeDigital Age, or New Media Age) began in the mid-20th century. By the 90s many of us found ourselves detaching from traditions tightly held by previous generations. How easy it is now when I don’t feel like cooking to order a pizza. No wonder my adult children have a difficult time honoring old traditions, especially since the holiday weekends are calm moments to rest from the madness. I certainly get it, as do many of my contemporaries. My cousin Mary Sue said it best when sharing…”How life has changed! I asked (my daughter and son) to let me show them how to make Rice torta. Neither one wanted to learn. I have to keep telling myself that it is their prerogative to say no.” Considering the time it takes to make a torta, I completely understand.

Delicious Memories

While I still prepare traditional meals on holidays and special occasions, as do many of my cousins, I believe using the tools of the information age we can have our cake and eat it too. Talking and writing about our traditions may be just as satisfying as preparing and eating all the foods we associate with our parents and grandparents. In retirement I find ample time to coax a grandchild or two into the laborious task of making Christmas cookies, homemade pizzas and pastas and other time-consuming, complex and messy meal preparations. Even my adult children participate from time to time. As long as we remember and pass on our memories, the delicious moments of our past will never be forgotten. I hope this website will serve family and friends far into the unknowable future of food culture.