Posted on March 28, 2009 - by admin

Teresa from Agrigento, Sicilia

From the first day she arrived at Enoteca Maria, Teresa Scalici took great pride in her role as a nonna in the restaurant. She says she feels like her own boss in the kitchen and even goes to the local market on Saturdays to pick out fresh vegetables. Working at the Enoteca is an extension of family and good food.

Born in the southern coastal town of Agrigento in Sicily, famous for its Greek architecture, Teresa started cooking at ten years of age when her nonna taught her to make fresh ravioli. She moved to New York City in 1966 with her husband.

She now enjoys teaching her thirteen-year old granddaughter how to cook the same recipes handed down to her from her nonna. Teresa particularly enjoys baking both sweet and savory deserts but her favorite recipe is her award winning Lasagna. Made with prosciutto, speck, eggplant, peas, ricotta and a mix of cheeses, her lasagna won the judges first place trophy at the Staten Island Community Resources Annual Pasta Bowl in 2008.

Return to the Grandma main menu.