Hidden Treasures of Italy

Italians – The Forever Romantics on Valentine’s Day and Always

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

February 1, 2024

We all know that Italians are passionate, romantic, and loving in all aspects of their culture, whether it is with food, literature, music, wine, film, art, relationships, fashion and really in everything. Adding the Italian component usually makes life more dramatic, embellished, defined and bright. There is no such thing as an understated Italian. We are up front and personal, and I’m proud of this. The Italian patina of life is at its most vivid every day.

Let’s talk about romance in Italy in honor of St. Valentine’s Day. Romance in Italy is the appreciation of a soft breeze in a fragrant vineyard in Tuscany enjoying a glass of wine with a life long life partner or a new person of interest. It is a walk along the Ponte Vecchio, the Tiber River, the Grand Canal or the beach in Positano or in Cinque Terre. It is a scrumptious meal in Trastevere, or a gourmet homecooked masterpiece in your own kitchen. Romance among Italians embraces every aspect of life. The melody of romance is in every aria of Italian opera, it is in the brindisi of La Traviata, and in the deep empathy of La Boheme. Romance is part of the Italian DNA, but interpreted differently and individually.

Fashion in Italy is also romantic because it embraces spectacular materials, like silk, pure wool, and the finest leather products. It is romantic because there is a story behind each piece of clothing. It is the history of the designers and the famous fashion houses. To me Italian fashion is pure art and every item is a creative spectrum of beauty.

Italian films exemplify passions unspoken, and passions embraced. My favorite film of all time is La Dolce Vita, and I also love La Grande Bellezza – both films speak about all the fabulous nuances of Rome, its night life, its day life, its wealth of emotion and sometimes its poverty of spirit – but the films are always romantic, deep, and real. The actors are five dimensional – if there is such a thing – the most interesting to me are Rudolph Valentino, Marcelo Mastroianni, Sophia Loren and Anna Magnani.

Just a brief note on literature – I greatly celebrate the epic romantic authors and poets of Italy, which to me are Boccaccio, Petrarch, Leopardi, Pirandello and others – and the romantic novels of all novels is I Promessi Sposi by Manzoni – the famous Betrothed. Take a month or two to read at least one of these famous and romantic Italian authors.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with a fabulous Italian Romantic of your own.

About the Author:

Joanne Spigonardo has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, music, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty. She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB. For more information about Joanne please visit her Lin

The Adoration of the Magi – Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany

January 6, 2024

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

In Italy the feast of the Epiphany on January 6 is considered one of the most important religious holidays. While the glitter of Christmas Day fades, Italy embraces the solemnity of the Epiphany with vigor. It is celebrated with Mass and family gatherings. Children receive gifts from the Befana, who is the good Christmas Witch. The true meaning of Christmas is not only the birth of Jesus, but the adoration of Him, His eternal manifestation and place in the world.

When I celebrate the Epiphany I think about the multitude of Italian paintings of the Adoration of the Magi. There are many versions but one of the most famous is by the Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. The painting is currently on display at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Although the dates are not accurate it was painted around 1475. The painting was originally commissioned by Gaspare di Zanobi del Lama as the altar piece for his funerary chapel in Santa Maria Novella, Florence.

Botticelli executed several paintings about the Adoration, it could be as many as eight or more. This version depicts several members of the Medici family, notably Cosimo de’ Medici, the Italian banker and politician, he could be the Magus kneeling in front of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Although there are varied opinions as to the identities of the other Medici figures, most art historians tend to agree that the painter, Sandro Botticelli, is the standing figure on the right of the frame, wearing the red gown.

Several masters have painted the Adoration of the Magi, one of them is Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo was given the commission by the Augustinian monks of San Donato in Florence in 1481. He did not finish the work, as he decided to leave Florence for Milian leaving the painting behind. The unfinished work is also displayed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. There are other versions of Botticelli’s Adoration in the National Gallery in Washington, DC. Other similar paintings of the Adoration are also on display in Washington painted by Fra Angelico and Fra Lippi.

In this new year of hope and vitality, and for those of us that are Christian, we are reminded that Jesus is always in our hearts. Most Italian families have a Nativity display in their homes. Having these displays are traditionally and personally symbolic of the meaning of Christmas. The beautiful paintings of the Renaissance are a testament of our timeless faith in Christ. Happy Feast of the Epiphany!

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SPQR – Rome Eternal

By: Joanne Natale Spigonardo

December 28, 2023

SPQR, is an abbreviation for Senatus Populusque Romanus, which means governed by the ancient Roman Republic. It refers to the eternal city of imperial beauty that has not changed in thousands of years. It is not only about the timeless art and architecture by Michelangelo, Bernini and Brunelleschi, or the majesty of the Coliseum, the Roman Baths, the Forum or the Vatican, it is about the charm and charisma of the people. It’s about the food, and the fashion.

Every nuance and scene in Rome is splendid, whether it is a charcuterie and cheese shop, eclectic chocolate, Roman carriages or the pointy nose of Pinocchio, it is all a feast for the senses. Here are some of the photos from my recent trip to Rome. Rome truly is La Grande Bellezza!

Salumi, Formaggi, Prosciutto

Via Condotti, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabana

Pinocchio, Big & Small

Piazza di Spagna, Carrozza e Cavallo

The Angel Gabriel, Pantheon

The Pantheon was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa in 25 BC as the Temple to all the Gods of Ancient Rome. The Pantheon became a Christian church in the Byzantine era.

Piazza Barberini, Outdoor Market

Venchi Chocolate Wall

Streets of Rome

All roads lead to Rome, may your journey in 2024 bring you to SPQR for the first or twentieth time, I hope you get there. Buon Anno!

About the Author

O Sole Mio – My Song of Gratitude

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

November 13, 2023

When I hear the song Il Sole Mio I feel gratitude in my heart for a day of sunshine, a day of hope. Even as the sun is setting the astounding beauty that is so simple yet so complex lightens my soul. It is a Neapolitan love song that was composed in 1898 by Eduardo Di Capua, while the lyrics were written by the poet Giovanni Capurro. To me Il Sole Mio is a song of appreciation, and promises for a bright future ahead.

As November progresses to Thanksgiving Day, I’ve been thinking more and more about Il Sole Mio. The lyrics explain that sometimes even simple things are spectacular. When I hear it, I feel gratitude for the goodness of the Earth, I feel gratitude for the love that surrounds me, for the sun that encompasses my life. I feel gratitude for each day, that it can be a new beginning for me to fulfill God’s purpose. It reminds me that to serve God and to serve others is a gift not a burden.

Il Sole Mio represents to me the essence of the Italian persona, finding the romance in life, it could be a whimsical smile, the laughter of children, and the surprise of finding so much happiness that is right in front of us each day. Italians embrace life fully, and that is what the song is telling us to do. The song is timeless and has been produced by many artists in so many variations, but the message is the same. Everyone has his or her sun, it represents different things to each of us, but the universal message to all of us is to look for positive energy. The message is to look for the many gifts facing us, and to be grateful for them.

After a year of many challenges, I’m looking ahead, and hoping to remain a sunshine girl, no matter what faces me. I’m basking in the light that is right in front of me, and I am grateful. Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

About the Author

La passeggiata e piazze Italiane – Hidden Treasures

August 21, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

Summer strolls along the beautiful Italian piazzas are a hidden treasure of Italy. As the golden hour approaches and long summer nights linger, Italians walk leisurely among the many exquisite squares in Italy. La passeggiata or a relaxing walk is a general pass time that is part of the Italian repertoire. It consists of friends walking arm in arm, shopping, people watching, and getting some low impact exercise before the sumptuous late night cena that awaits them. Italians are usually slim, but their custom of walking everywhere, and strolling just for pleasure helps them to remain trim and happy.

La passeggiata is most memorable among the many iconic piazzas, one of which is Piazza San Marco in Venice. Venice is a walkers dream, and you are walking in a dream in this gorgeous place. To walk among the palaces of the Doge, and to cross the Bridge of Sighs is enchanting, and a memory that will never diminish. Each pace along the Grand Canal with gondoliers singing romantic arias touches the senses to infinite ends.

Walking in Siena is just as magical, you can almost hear the minstrels from the Renaissance, and you can see the ornate porticos along Piazza del Campo. Every moment seems otherworldly and surreal as you walk serenely toward the Basilica di San Domenico which has the relics of St. Catherine of Siena. It’s amazing how you can get an Art History lesson, a spiritual message, and burn calories while enjoying a passeggiatta in Siena, or really anywhere in Italy. Works of art are in small streets and in small villages everywhere in Italy.

A stroll in Florence brings you back to visit the treasures of some of the greatest art masters in history. Piazza Della Signoria is an outdoor museum. The famous Giotto baptistry doors are a world renowned masterpiece. Works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini and other famous artists will greet you with every step you take. The overwhelming beauty of the art, but also of the people who eyes are filled with awe, is inspiring, and breathtaking.

All roads lead to Rome, and two of my favorite piazzas in Rome for a passeggiata, are Piazza Navona, and Piazza San Lorenzo. The very famous and also touristy Piazza Navona still captures the heart with the fabulous Bernini statues, and enticing cafes, where tempting gelatos are ready to be enjoyed. One of the best flavors is stracciatella, which is a creamy vanilla with streaks of fudgy chocolate. It will change your life!

For a hidden gem of a piazza, Piazza San Lorenzo, is frequented more by locals, and eclectic shoppers who are not looking for designer labels, but for quality clothing and fine dining. It is a quiet square with unique boutiques which are filled with understated classics, and the piazza is just a wonderful place for a quiet walk. Somewhere to stroll, think, and be joyful.

I haven’t been back to Italy in four years, I miss Italy so much, it is truly a part of me. I can still see these piazzas in my dreams, I hope to see them again someday. Please share your memories from your passeggiatas in Italy, I would love to hear about them.

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty. She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB. For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

Benvenuto Lodge – Order Sons of Italy – A Hidden Treasure About Heritage and Culture

July 25, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

As we look forward to cooler days and fall events, I hope you will consider becoming a member of the Benvenuto Lodge – Order Sons of Italy. The Lodge has been in existence since the 1980s and was started by Edmund and Anna Forte, both had been long-time educators, and promotors of Italian culture and history. I have been a member for over three decades, and my sons both were fortunate enough to receive a scholarship toward their high school education because of the generosity of the Lodge for children of Italian heritage.

The meetings take place the third Saturday of every month at noon, and usually last about two hours. Our location is at the St. James Church, 135 Myrtle Avenue in Havertown. The Lodge meetings begin with Lodge announcements and future news and are followed by a special event. We are now planning for potential guest speakers from The Mario Lanza Institute, the Italian Consulate, and local Italian restaurants. In addition we plan on offering performances from Italian musical groups, vocalists, field trips, and authors about Italian immigration. The Lodge has a holiday luncheon at Christmas and a spring anniversary celebration.

If you are interested in joining please fill out the attached application and bring it to our meeting on September 16. The fees to join are modest and the events are wonderful and fun. Mostly the Lodge is committed to promote everything and everyone Italian. It would be great to see you there and say Benvenuto to you which means Welcome in Italian! If you have any questions please e mail me at spigonaj@gmail.com.

Joanne Natale Spigonardo, Vice President, Benvenuto Lodge

new-adult-membership-application-2022 Download

Original Recipes – Hidden Treasures of Italy – Stuffed Peppers

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Joanne Natale Spigonardo

June 16, 2023

When I think of summer, I think of one of my favorite summer dishes. which are the stuffed peppers my Mom would make. We would go to the Jersey farms and get wonderful produce, some of which were the red and green bell peppers. Also, we would get the most luscious tomatoes produced in the US, there is nothing like a ripe Jersey tomato! The only tomato that would beat this, is the San Marzanos of Italy – Italy always takes the prize. We would make fresh marinara sauce with the Jersey tomatoes. The marinara is part of the stuffed peppers recipe.

If you are trying to eliminate meat from your diet, these delicious stuffed peppers are better than any steak imaginable. I can still smell them in my Mom’s kitchen, some of the best memories of my childhood was eating these peppers cold, delicious! They were perfect for summer, hot or cold.

Mom was a master chef like no other. She was tremendously creative and tried different spins on classic recipes, and I think her stuffed peppers are truly unique. So I wanted to share her recipe with you. You basically start out with 6-8 large bell peppers seeded and washed, remove the top – which you can save for vegetable stock – waste not want not. Make your own marinara, its so easy – if you are Italian you really don’t need this recipe, but I do include one below, if you do, and no pressure! Note the recipe for the filling for the peppers below.

1 1/2 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese

2 eggs

1 cup of white bread diced into small pieces 1/4 inch

1 cup grated parmiggiano

2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley

Salt & Pepper to Taste

2 round rolls – set aside

Combine mixture and stuff peppers, use a quarter of a roll to secure the top, fry each pepper in olive oil – brown – when browned – use baking dish and add marinara sauce to the bottom of dish, place peppers in dish and top with marinara – bake covered for 30 minutes in 350 degree oven – uncover and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes. Let peppers rest for about a half hour before serving. Serve with a side of spaghetti with the rest of the marinara garnish with shaved parmiggiano. Note a fantastic marinara recipe here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/marinara-sauce-recipe2-1950802

Hope you enjoy these peppers, and the wonderful tastes of summer! Summer is right around the corner with so many local farms with delectable produce right on our doorstep. You will never miss the beef, I promise! Make sure to share your Italian heritage through your own wonderful and traditional food. Buon Appetito!

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Italian Mothers & Grandmothers – Treasures of Italy

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May 8, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

For those of you who have been blessed to have an Italian Mother and an Italian Grandmother, I hope these words you are reading will sound familiar and meaningful. Of course, as in all individuals, everyone’s experience is unique. I’m paying tribute to my Grandmother, Teresa. She was the strongest woman I have ever met, with my Mother, Raffaela, being a close second.

Both Teresa and Raffaela had the stamina of an army and the hearts of legions. They had to have these qualities in order to survive the life that they were handed. I tell a fictionalized version of their story, in my book White Widow. This book was inspired by the countless stories my Grandmother and Mother told me. In addition, my Mother began to write some of these stories in a journal a few years before her death.

The first time, I heard the words White Widow, was in a book I read, called Unto the Sons by Jerre Mangione and Gaetano Talese. This book speaks about Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I read this book decades ago but it really resonated with me because I realized that my Grandmother Teresa was a White Widow.

White Widows were women that were left behind in Italy while their husbands went to the US to work. The husbands would send money back to the family in Italy to help support them. Often these women would never see their husbands again. While the monetary support was helpful, it didn’t begin to cover what was needed. It certainly didn’t cover the herculean task of raising a family in war-ravaged and impoverished villages.

In the process of writing my book, I was torn about my devotion and respect for my Grandfather, for giving me the opportunity to immigrate to America, and the resilience and sacrifices of my Grandmother for keeping us safe in Italy. My memory allows me to still recall the day my Mother left Italy to travel to the US alone so that she could get a job and establish residency before I and the rest of my family could travel to Philadelphia. The gratitude I feel for my ancestors is deep, and I would not be in this beautiful country without their ingenuity and persistence.

On this Mother’s Day, I hope you delve into your own histories, and honor the women, whether they were Italian or not, those that came before you, those that set the pace for you and for giving you a better life. Women who were devoted to Our Mother Mary, who prayed the rosary, and had unquestionable faith. I’m honoring both my Grandmother and Mother who made me who I am, they were Renaissance women, ahead of their time to take charge and to protect those that they loved. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers in the Universe!

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Highlighting Some of my Favorite Places in Italy

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

April 16, 2023

I’ve had the good fortune to travel to Italy dozens of times, and while it is impossible to make a top list of my favorite places, there are some places that always inch there way to the top of my list. One of them is Portofino, nestled in the Ligurian Coast of Italy. Portofino is magical in every way, the blues of the water and sky are an impossible blue that is indescribable unless you see it with your own eyes. Portofino is for those who want lazy days in a spectacular setting, who enjoy and savor simple moments of true beauty. Like every place in Italy, the food is exquisite, with one of the local delicacies being focaccia with pesto and olives. In addition the seafood is some of the best that I’ve ever enjoyed. Desert is no exception, with delectable pastries, and the after dinner drink to beat all after dinner drinks, the famous Scropino, which is a concoction of Prosecco and lemon sorbetto. Evenings consist of classical music in outdoor cafes and fabulous strolls along the water. Portofino is a perfect place for a honeymoon, anniversary, or for no reason at all.

If you have never been to Sicily, you must go. There is so much history and natural beauty with one of the wonders of the world, being Mount Etna.

My husband, Francesco and I visited Mount Etna in 2019, and it was a bucket list adventure for us. Even if you are not a hiker you will be able to manage some of the less steeper trails where you will be among the clouds. It is a mesmerizing place, and a spiritual experience. Mount Etna is an active volcano situated between Messina and Catania in eastern Sicily. It is fairly safe to visit Mount Etna as it is constantly surveyed for its security, however Mount Etna did recently erupt in November, 2022. Fortunately, there were no causalities. Even with the risk, I would totally visit Mount Etna again. We worked up an appetite, and on the return descent we stopped in Taormina, where we enjoyed the world-famous, arancini, rice balls filled with several delicacies. Taormina is a must see, with the famous San Domenico Hotel, (featured in White Lotus on HBO). More on Taormina in a future blog.

Pompeii dates back to the 7th Century BC. It is located near the Bay of Naples. It is incredible to imagine how advance this civilization was, and how many milestones they reached along with the influence of the Greeks. Most of the ancient Roman city is still intact where there are countless artifacts to admire. Pompeii became frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which left the city in ash. Everyone was killed, however the ash preserved Pompeii for many centuries. In the 1700s the splendor of Pompeii was excavated under the leadership of Don Carlos, King of Naples.

Walking along the cobblestones of Pompeii one is transported to an advanced culture, and it seems surreal to know that the famous Centaur statue will continue to guard Pompeii for many civilizations to come. We were lucky to stop in Naples on the way back, where we enjoyed un espresso stretto with a delicious sfogliatella. Sofliatelle are Neapolitan traditional pastries, with dozens of crispy layers, filled with sweet ricotta and candied fruit.

Really there are countless spots in Italy that I love, but Portofino, Mount Etna, and Pompeii are engraved in my memories and are truly special.

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The Magic Mirror – 2023 Carnevale in Italy

February 6, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

When 17th Century Venetians started to celebrate Carnevale as we know it today, they dressed in elaborate costumes and masks. The experience was to create an illusion of identity. It was a place and is a place where royalty can mix with anyone. Where the elite are on the same playing field as the masses. It is a place to create a magic mirror that reflects revelry without any distinction of society or class. This year’s theme is in fact the magic mirror. Festivities begins in Venice on February 11 and will run through Tuesday, February 22 this year.

The history of Carnevale or the festival of meats dates back to the 11th Century when Venice was taking a strong hold in Italy over Rome. The festivals started to celebrate the many victories of Venice’s power in Italy. Venice is the Carnevale centerpiece of an extravaganza of events especially the regattas and street parties. Casanova, the renowned lover of Venice, as well as historian of Venice and Carnevale, authored many short stores about his escapades during his time.

Throughout Italy the days before Ash Wednesday became a time to indulge in food, wine, and music. These traditions are still part of life in Italy and throughout the world, the more famous ones are in Brazil and New Orleans. Typically Carnevale is celebrated with parades, parties, and bonfires in village squares. The bonfires are to ward off evil spirts and to spread light and good will. Southern Italy has more religious types of parades, and a tribute to each area’s patron saints. To be followed by delicacies that originated in their towns.

In Italian American families, many of us still uphold Carnevale traditions. Many of us prepare rich pasta sauces, with several types of meat to serve over bucatini – a pasta reserved for special occasions. Sweets are a big part of Carnevale, Cenci are a favorite treat, and are a type of fried sweet bow cookies, also different types of zepole filled with crème are a part of the tradition. Cream puffs, sfogliatelle, cannoli, cookies and cakes of all types are served. A roast of lamb or pork is also a part of the meal. Folks usually have a discussion about all the things they are giving up for Lent and make sure to enjoy the forbidden bites before midnight. Mostly Carnevale is the last hurrah before a time of atonement and reflection.

I hope you celebrate Carnevale this year, and think about the theme of the magic mirror, it’s exciting to step out of your comfort zone and into a mask of disguise and fun for a few days. I hope you enjoy all your special treats as well! Maybe you can try the Cenci Recipe here: https://www.italianfoodforever.com/2008/07/cenci/

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