Johnnie was invited to the home of Carmella Crispeno, Rosa's mom, for pranzo (lunch) today, Sunday Dec. 9. The Sunday pranzo is a large one and the main meal on this day. It is not unusual for families to spend 3 - 4 hrs. with the pranzo. I went to Carmella's house a few months ago for pranzo and practially burst from all the food. That lady can cook! She has five children and occasionally has them and their spouses and children as well, although I think today not all were there. Johnnie was in for a treat, as I well know but I still drooled over the photos of all the delicious food she cooked. So here goes, Carmella's pranzo menu.
Antipasto - not sure; I see wine in the photos
Primi - lasagna. Yum
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| Carmella Crispeno, the hostess and chef |
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| I could have told him to slow down on the lasagna, there is more to come~ |
After that, the second or meat dish which is Ragu meat and peppers. I love these peppers! The Ragu meat is good too, but Carmella's peppers are to die for!
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| Pasquale (Rosa's brother) and Johnnie in between courses |
Is Johnnie speaking Italian? or is Pasquale speaking English? what do you think?
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| Ragu meat with peppers -- yum |
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| Take a breather, this is a lot of food! |
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| Can you believe this little lady has 5 children and eats all this great food? |
Ok, now onto the fish course. You don't always get meat and fish -- usually it is one or the other -- but yesterday was a holiday in Italy so I guess Carmella wanted to go all out.
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| Polpo, or octopus; small, buttery soft octopus prepared like a salad |
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Gamberini and Spigola, lightly dredged in flour and pan fried
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Now for the dessert, coffee and limoncello!
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| Baba with cream and fruit |
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| sfogliatella |
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| Grain beverage (coffee substitute) |
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