When it comes to food, comfort, home-cooking, and harnessing traditions is at my core. And that's exactly what you'll find on my blog - an aspiring nonna uncovering family secrets and traditions from around the world.
Living in Melbourne's northern suburbs, you'll often find me wandering local farmers' markets foraging for seasonal produce; and dining in my favourite spots, eating my way through inspiration. Or simply just enjoying a meal!
Growing up as an Italian-Australian in Sydney’s western suburbs, food has been at the centre of our family. My nonno has always harvested the food on our plates – from freshly laid eggs, to roaming chickens, to home grown tomatoes bursting with flavour among more of the season's best offerings.
The garage and backyard has been the heart of our home. It's where we come together to celebrate, cook, fill jars and cure meats to preserve. From sundried tomatoes to giardiniera (pickled seasonable vegetables), passata, olives, salami and sausages. But most importantly it's where we come around the family table to gather, eat and feast.
On any given day, nonna is in the kitchen from early-morning preparing lunch. It's generally served around 11:00am, it's the main meal of the day, and it’s always followed by coffee and handmade biscotti to finish. No matter what nonna's cooking, one thing’s certain, you're always in for a treat - trippa, pasta e pomodoro, rabbit stew, stuffed artichokes and cotoletta are some of our family favourites.
From my childhood to my world travels, I can’t help but be drawn into the simplicity and flavours across cultures. And while there’s a world of differences between them, I’ve come to learn that patience is essential, love is the key ingredient and sharing a meal with others is makes taste even more fulfilling.
It's often nonna, and those alike who keep these traditions alive, insist we eat more - even when we're full - and fill our plates with unconditional love. And when we visit, they will always ask us to stay for lunch.
Mat.
Coming soon
Forage the local markets and hear from the growers and makers.
Coming soon
Explore local cuisines and foodie adventures.