Clams Oreganata: Perfect for Seven Fishes
If you’re part of an Italian family, know an Italian family or have a favorite Italian restaurant, you’re probably gearing up for Christmas Eve and …
A Sicilian-influenced Monkfish Brodetto
Our paternal grandfather, Giuseppe Becci, was born and raised in the little village of Scapezzano in the region of Marche, Italy, which sits not far …
Sardinian Fregola with Clams
I was re-arranging my pantry recently and found a package of Sardinian fregola that I had purchased at Altomonte’s Italian market (https://altomontes.com/) a few years …
Charred Octopus Salad with other Goodies
It’s summer in L.A. and it’s HOT! It’s also a time to be celebrating seafood, given that we just returned from ten weeks in coastal …
Summer Clam Guazzetto
During my boyhood in New Jersey, summer meant trips to the Jersey shore, and the Jersey shore meant clams! From then till now, to me …
Mussels and Shells in a Saffron Tomato Soup
With Christmas Eve fast approaching, it’s time to starting thinking about that uniquely Italian-American tradition of the Seven Fishes. Probably born from the Italian tradition …
Drunken Octopus Salad
Octopus is finally available again in seafood stores in Southern California. In Italy, being able to buy freshly fished octopus is nearly a birthright. Along …
Calamari ripieni alla marchigiana (Stuffed squid)
While we were in Marche, Italy this spring, we had stuffed calamari prepared by my cousin’s wife, Maria, several times. These beautiful squid from the …
Seppie con piselli (Cuttlefish with peas)
I’m in Italy!—in the region of Marche, along the Adriatic sea—staying in the town where my grandfather grew up (he immigrated to America in 1911, …
Cooking Le Marche Style: Vongole in Potacchio
Ciao, tutti! As I write this post, my brother and Mark are relaxing in the little village of Scapezzano, Italy – in the very house …
End of Summer at Mussel Beach – Cozze alla marchigiana
I was in the Pacific Northwest this week visiting family and as usual, I was amazed at the abundance of fresh local seafood available in …
Somewhere Beyond the Sea: Sicilian Clams with Fennel Broth
When the summer heat comes swooping in, I always have a hankering for clams – a big, soupy bowl of briny littlenecks bathed in garlicky …
