My grandmother always said her life could have been a book.  Or a blog.  And, perhaps it would have been if she knew what a blog was.  It is because of her that my family inherited an incredibly rich food culture.  She taught our family what it meant to enjoy food, share unforgettable moments around the Sunday table and ultimately what it meant to be alive.  She was the walking definition of “joie de vivre.”  And, appropriately so – she was a French, after all!

I think all too often we neglect to remember the amazing, trying and truly extraordinary journey that our family before us has lived that makes us who and what we are today.  As a result, it is only appropriate to officially start my blog with my Grandmother’s story – not only to remember, but because with her story, mine begins.

My grandmother, affectionately known as “Grammy,” was a French War Bride.  Born in 1919 in North Africa, she spent the first 26 years of her life living in Algeria, traveling throughout North Africa and Europe.  My favorite childhood memories come from listening to my grandmother share small bits and pieces from this era.  Despite initial hardships, my grandmother always spoke fondly of her life.  She spent her summers traveling with her school, working on farms in Italy, vacationing in Austria (or Australia – we’re still not quite sure).  When she was old enough to work, she started working as a seamstress.  I always imaged her as a pseudo Coco Chanel making and designing clothing for the better half of French Algeria.  That may not have been that far from the truth seeing as she did design and sew a stunning wedding dress for herself!

It is scientific fact that the gene pool on my grandmother’s side of family has a shockingly high percentage of producing strikingly beautiful, Mediterranean women – my grandmother being one of them.  In the 1930’s my grandmother was crowned as “Miss Algiers” – only to have her crown taken away once the committee discovered she was under legal age of entry! 

Her eyes would light up telling my brother and I stories from these seemingly decadent times.  There were tales of riding in some of the world’s first cars headed out for an evening of dancing with friends.  Accounts of mingling with soldiers from around the world stationed in North Africa during the Second World War. Many stories of hosting evenings at home for members of the American armed service to enjoy a home cooked meal. 

It was during this time she met my grandfather, an Italian American solider stationed in North Africa. While I’m not sure how it is that they met the first time, I am sure that they had a love that transcended war.  A love that transcended distance.  And, a love that transcended deeply rooted cultural differences.

As the war was coming to an end, my grandfather married my grandmother and swiftly returned to The States with the military.  My grandmother would shortly follow on a painstakingly long journey on what she referred to as the “Liberty Ship.” After many, many days at sea (the ship was lost at sea for a period of time!), she finally set foot on American soil for the first time in Boston Harbor, Christmas Eve 1945.

My grandmother always wanted to be a famous actress.  When they married, my grandfather promised to take her to Hollywood.  When she arrived in The States, instead of setting foot among the rich and famous in Hollywood, she arrived in Bellwood, a small middle class suburb of Chicago.  Upon arrival, money was scarce, she didn’t speak English and certainly didn’t know how to cook any of the Italian American staples that were (and still are) mandatory for anyone cooking in an Italian American household.  Fortunately for her, an angel of a downstairs neighbor taught my grandmother everything she knew about Italian cooking.  I was far from alive at this time, but I’m sure things like gravy (or to the rest of the world – pasta sauce) with pork neck bones, eggplant parmesan and braciole were coming out of the kitchen on a nightly basis.

These classics eventually found their way onto our Sunday dinner table many, many years later.  Sunday dinners at Grammy’s were always an event. My favorite part about Sunday dinner (aside from the loud shouting to get a word in, the Italian music playing in the background and the occasional dirty joke) was that food was never paired together as a cohesive meal. Nothing really ever went together.  But there was always so much delicious homemade food.  It was all from the heart – and, it was incredible.

For as long as I can remember, I spent as much time in the kitchen with my grandmother as I could. Observing. Learning how to gently combine ingredients to create the perfect meatball. Watching her make a salad dressing from scratch at a time when the only salad dressing I was familiar with came out of a bottle from the grocery store. Not only did I learn so many things about food from my grandmother, but I learned to love cooking for people, being at home with family and friends and what it truly means to share a great meal.

Grammy, this first Italian American recipe on Dinners With Dave is for you.  Although I’ll never come close to making it as good as you, here is my best attempt at a family classic affectionately referred to as:  “Pasta with the Italian Tuna”

In Italy, it is common to find pasta dishes paired with anchovies, sardines or tuna.  I love these types of pasta because the fish adds an umami flavor to the pasta that’s unparalleled.  This recipe, Spaghetti with Italian Tuna and Breadcrumb Topping, uses wonderful rich olive oil packed tuna.  It has all the components of a traditional Italian red sauce (tomato, garlic, light notes of fennel, oregano, basil) but instead of containing meatballs, pork neck bones or Italian sausage – it is finished off with rich olive oil packed tuna to elevate the flavor.

Best part about this recipe (other than the throw back to Sundays at Grammy’s house), I often find that I have almost everything I need to make it already stocked in my pantry. These days, I use whatever I have in my pantry to make this dish.

My grandmother used 6 in 1 ground tomatoes (although that link is to an enormous can – you’ll get the idea) and Genova Tuna Packed in Olive Oil, which I do use sometimes. Personally, I discovered so many types of wonderful olive oil packed tuna abroad in Italy. I’ve been on a perpetual quest here in The States to find where to buy some of my favorites (you can only bring so much tuna back in a suitcase!). Callipo is an Italian brand that I’ve been able to find here and is actually affordable and wonderful for this recipe. Plus, you can order it online!

Consider this recipe a gift. Most Italian American families would never share a family recipe, especially one that isn’t readily available in Italian restaurants. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Let me know in the comments below what you think!

If you’re interested in reading more about North Africa, check out my Marrakech City Guide or try your hand at a North African inspired recipe, Caramelized Fennel and Golden Raisin Salad.

Bonne Chance et Bon Appétit!