Funny but Accurate Article About Italian Ameircans
Here is a link about some funny (yet very true) things about growing up as an Italian American. Mostly for laughs, but enjoy!
Dean Martin
Dean Martin is a famous Italian American singer, actor, and TV star from the early to mid 1900s. He was a large Italian American idol in his time, and most grandparents in Italian American families can be caught listening to his hits tracks today. His most famous hit in Italian American culture is “That’s Amore”, a tune commonly heard in Italian American films, at events, and in most Italian culture settings. “Amore” in Italian means love, and the song talks about many aspects of Italian American culture that there is to love. One would say “That’s Amore” is one of the biggest Italian American theme songs, so to speak,—referencing pizza, the tarantella, Napoli, etc. I included a link below to “That’s Amore” and another on of his hits titled “Ain’t that a Kick in the Head.”
Dictionary Tour: “Salud, chindon”
“Salud, chindon,” a phrase heard every Sunday as I stare at a sauce-laden and garlic-seasoned feast upon me. I can’t remember the first time I heard this exact phrase, but I bet you money that if you eat dinner at my Grandmother’s house you would be bound to hear it. The phrase “salud, chindon” is italian american slang roughly meaning “health for a hundred years.” The much butchered term “salud” in italian american speak originates from the word “salute” in italian, meaning health or well being. Chindon, also heavily accented over the many generations of augmented bilingualism, was translated to “english” from the original italian phrase cent’anno, or cento anno, meaning one hundred years. Technically speaking, then, this phrase makes some sense if we were to somehow hear these root italian words behind the slobbery accented mess which is most italian american slang. Yet this phrase means more to italian american’s than “health for a hundred years.” When we all lift our glasses (alright lets not lie here, our wine glasses) at the table before the meal begins, we call out this phrase together in a single unified moment of thanks and praise. Call it the italian american version of the Christians ‘saying grace’ if you will, but without this phrase before any big meal it just wouldn’t be complete. Saying this to everyone at the table signifies that you are here to come together and share not only a meal (which, when are Italians not doing that?), but also you are sharing a feeling of gratitude and love for those around you. This phrase signifies you wish everyone there—weather it be your mom, aunt, annoying second cousin, or your uncles newest weird girlfriend with the thick Brooklyn accent—a long good life. For italian american’s, its all about reigning in the crazy, and I think in this moment there is that one “ahhhhhh” sensation where everyone can say, really, we are all just here to eat, laugh, enjoy each other, and be merry. This phrase epitomizes that feeling, and brings everyone together as one at the most important place—which of course is the robustly overstuffed dinner table.
Grandma Pie
1 package pizza dough
Homemade red sauce
½ package whole milk mozzarella
half large white onion
half package of basil/approximately 14-20 leaves
grated parmesan
salt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
oregano
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread dough on square cookie sheet and lip sides to form crust. Slice mozzarella thin, chop onion, and mince basil. Spread red sauce completely over dough. Add mozzarella slices about 1 inch apart, usually 8 per pie. Sprinkle basil and onion over. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over pie to completely cover sauce. Add salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, and oregano to taste. Place in oven for approximately 14 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and crust is golden brown. Remove and let cool for at least 5 minutes. Cut and enjoy.
Photo Tour through a typical Italian Deli
The photos below are all pictures that I took of my traditional italian deli that I go to when I am home in Staten Island. The deli has been owned by the same italian american family for 3 generations now, and everyone from older italians in the neighborhood to cops to family friends stop by to grab a delicious chicken cutlet sandwich for lunch. Italian deli’s are different from normal american ones in many ways, such as: most of their goods are imported, ingredients (such as fried chicken cutlets) are made fresh to order, and the deli also serves as a hangout during lunch time for many italian americans. There is not a day I go in there when there isn’t a group of middle aged italian men chowing down on prosciutto balls, chicken parm, etc, drinking coffee, reading the paper, and talking neighborhood gossip. Another unique thing about a place like this is that everyone knows each other, and the family aspect that you get just from picking up your lunch is welcoming and natural to me. I walk in and say hi to Mario (the manager), order “my usual” from Al (the cook), and talk to Mario Jr. about how college is going while I’m waiting. You can’t find some place like this just anywhere, deli’s are a unique aspect of the italian american lifestyle.
Eggplant Parmesan
2 large eggplants
olive oil
4 eggs
Italian style bread crumb
Homemade red sauce
2 packages whole milk mozzarella
1 container of grated parmesan cheese
13×9 inch lasagna pan
salt
pepper
onion powder
Peel eggplants and slice medium thickness. Scramble eggs in bowl and add salt, pepper, and onion powder. Fill frying pan ¼ with olive oil and heat to medium-high. Dip eggplant slice in egg mixture and then in bread crumb, completely covering it. Place eggplant in hot oil and cook until golden on both sides, approximately 1-2 minutes per side depending on heat. Remove eggplant slices and place on paper towels. Slice mozzarella thin. Cover bottom of pan with red sauce. Place eggplant slice on top of sauce. Place mozzarella slices on top of eggplant spread apart, usually 8 slices. Sprinkle a healthy amount of parmesan cheese on top. Repeat this step two more times. On top layer add extra cheese. Place pan in over for approximately 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Check top, remove when mozzarella is completely melted and a golden color/ when sizzling. Let cool for at least 5 minutes.
On Growing up as an Italian American
Below is a link to a short video of me interviewing my italian american grandparents about growing up in an italian household. Both of my grandparents grew up in Brooklyn, and both of their parents were italians who immigrated to america. They discuss how different life was at that time and how many italian american went about their life as an american in NYC.
<a href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnaH76me6II”></a>
Tarantella Napoletana
The tarantella napoletana is a traditional italian dance that is usually played at weddings and other big celebrations for italian families. Many italian weddings in America are not complete without the entire wedding party dancing to this song. The tradition is that everyone at the wedding forms a large circle while dancing and clapping their hands and the bride and groom enter the middle of the circle first to perform the tarantella dance. This is a simple fast step while intermittently linking arms and spinning and kicking your feet. People switch in and out taking turns to dance in the center. The dance originated in Italy as a fest-tempo courtship dance but has now become and italian american tradition
Below you can find two links, the first to a video of just the song and the second to a wedding party dancing to the tarantella.
Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-xsosv6uM0
Dance:
Grandma’s homemade sauce:
Olive oil
3 cloves garlic
red pepper
1 can tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can plum tomatoes
3 basil leavessalt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
oregano
parsley
Cover bottom of sauce pan completely with olive oil. Heat olive oil, garlic cloves, and hot pepper in sauce pot on medium heat. When warm, add tomato paste, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder. Stir until tomato paste is cooked (turns burnt red/brown color, about 5 minutes). Put plum and crushed tomatoes in mixer and mix well until plum tomatoes are completely crushed. Add tomato mixture. Season with more salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, oregano, and parsley to taste. Add basil leaves. Turn up heat and let the sauce come to a boil. Then turn down heat to low simmer. Put lid on and let sit for at least 4 hours. Stir occasionally. When ready to serve remove garlic cloves and basil.
Hello / Ciao!
Buongiorno!
This site is dedicated to the documentation and appreciation of italian american culture. Here you can find anything from Grandma’s recipes, slang words, video documentaries, Dean Martin, tours through an italian deli, and much more! This blog is divided into 5 sections: food, culture, lifestyle, dictionary, and diary. Click on a section to learn more, and don’t forget to enjoy!
When a new post is added I will do so on the main paige and will then also update the appropriate section, which will be tagged in the main post if you want to look for it there or find other posts like it.
Italian American Culture Blog 