PAELLA ITALIANA

This is my Italian version of the popular Spanish Paella using Italian sausages, instead of chorizo and Italian arborio rice instead of Spanish bomba rice. I used chicken, Italian sausages, mussels, clams, and calamari rings. Use whatever seafood you like. You can also make the paella with shellfish alone.

2 T extra-light olive oil, divided

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 boneless-skinless 1chicken thighs, cut into thirds

3 sweet or hot Italian sausage links

2 t smoked paprika

1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

1 t fresh oregano leaves or freeze-dried oregano

2 cups Arborio rice

4 cups warm chicken stock or broth
1 t crushed saffron threads
1 (8-oz) bottle clam juice
1 (14 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes 

½ cup dry white wine

2 fresh or dried bay leaves

12 fresh mussels, beards removed and scrubbed clean
16 fresh littleneck clams, soaked in cold water 15 minutes
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ lb squid (calamari) cut into circles

1 cup frozen peas, thawed
½ cup pimento stuffed green olives

¼ cup Italian parsley, chopped

1 roasted red bell pepper, from a jar, drained, thinly sliced

Lemon wedges, for serving

Crusty Italian bread, for serving

In a paella pan or large flat skillet, heat one tablespoon of the oil over medium heat.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook the chicken until lightly brown. 
Remove to the platter.

Add the Italian sausages and brown on all sides, for about 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove to the platter with the chicken and sprinkle all with the smoked paprika.

Lower the heat and add the other tablespoon of oil and sauté the onion and bell peppers for about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and sauté another minute.

Add the oregano and rice and cook for a minute or two.

Pour in the chicken stock, clam broth, tomatoes, and saffron. 
Stir to combine and turn off heat while slicing sausages.

Slice the Italian sausages into circles and add to the pan along with the chicken.

Add the wine and bay leaves.

Cover tightly and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.

Remove lid and tuck in the mussels and clams. 
Cover and cook another 7 to 8 minutes, or until mussel and clam shells have opened.
Add the shrimp and squid, cover and let cook another 5 minutes.
Remove lid and sprinkle with peas, olives, parsley, and roasted bell pepper slices.
Turn up heat for 30 seconds to let the rice stick and caramelize on the bottom of the pan.

Turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes.

Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.

Serves 4

COOKBOOK AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM & KOBO

CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 1981

MARIE NOVIELLO CASAZZA

Jewell Hollow Overlook, Skyline Drive Virginia - c1943

SUMMER VEGETABLE TIAN

Here is a delicious way to enjoy zucchini and yellow squash. This makes an excellent side dish for any outdoor barbecue.

1 T extra-light olive oil or avocado oil, divided

1 large yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium potatoes, sliced into thin circles

2 medium zucchini, sliced into thin circles

2 medium yellow squash, sliced into thin circles

4 Roma or plum tomatoes, sliced into thin circles

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 t fresh thyme leaves

2 t fresh rosemary leaves, minced

½ cup grated or diced fontina cheese

¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Heat 2 T of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. 

Add onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and sauté another minute.

Spoon into the bottom of a gratin or shallow baking dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Evenly arrange potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, and tomatoes in a circle around a baking dish.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle on the thyme leaves, rosemary leaves, fontina, and Parmigiano.

Drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil.

Cover with foil and place on a baking dish or pizza pan.

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 1979

ITALIAN SALAD - SALATA ITALIANA

Everyone loves a classic Greek Salad. This salad is Italian because I used Italian black olives (Gaeta) instead of Kalamata olives and ricotta salata cheese in place of Greek feta cheese.

Dressing

2 T fresh lemon juice

1 T white wine vinegar

2 t fresh or freeze-dried oregano leaves

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad

12 oz cherry tomatoes, cut in half

½ English cucumber, cut in half, lengthwise and sliced ¼-inch thick

½ red onion, diced

1 orange or red bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

½ cup pitted black Italian (Gaeta) olives

8 oz ricotta salata cheese, coarsely crumbled

In a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice, oregano, garlic, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

While whisking, slowing pour in the olive oil and whisk until completely combined.

Place the salad ingredients in a bowl and gently toss.

Add salad dressing and toss to combine.

Serves 4 to 6

ADELINA NOVIELLO MARTIGNETTI

Adelina was Ernesto Noviello's older sister from Montefalcione, Avellino, Italy. She married Carlo Martignetti from Montefalcione. They arrived in New York City on 26 December 1896 and later settled in Portsmouth, Virginia where many of their grandchildren still reside.