Posted on March 27, 2009 - by admin

Valarie from Sciacca, Sicilia

Valarie Delsante is a second generation Italian-American who was born on Staten Island into a large family where the Italian traditions were strong and an integral part of her childhood. Though her grandparents arrived in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, they retained the customs, folklore and culinary specialties of the regions they came from.

Valarie learned to cook from her maternal nonna, ‘Lena’ and her mother, Maria, both exceptional cooks who embraced the cuisine of Sicily with all of its unique and exotic flavors. She fondly remembers spending summers with her nonna, riding the subway to markets all around the city in search of the finest Italian ingredients, then bringing them home to prepare dinner.

Valarie, a mother of two, has had many interesting professions over the years and says if given a choice she would rather be cooking. Her favorite recipes include Manicotti and Calamari Ripieni as well as her nonna’s Sicilian Cheesecake.

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