Love! I'm not Italian but call myself honorary because my uncle married my Italian aunt and her huge Italian family when I was 7 years old, so I've been indoctrinated. I've had Italian cookies from Nona (my cousin's Nona technically but mine by extension) at my wedding, baby showers, kids birthday, etc. They must be present or it's not a gathering.
Omg! I'm salivating at all of those cookies and taking a walk down memory lane as you describe each one. I was immediately transported to Royal Pastry on a Sunday morning after mass when my dad would buy a pound of Italian cookies and a dozen cannolis, (with ricotta NOT custard) before we went to my grandparents' house for a visit. Stella Dora was a staple on my mom's shopping list. My Nanny (mom's mom) used to make wine cookies, those iced cookies stuffed with mincemeat and those little dough balls with the sprinkles and honey every holiday season. Italian cookies were often my breakfast the night after a family party, with a cup of coffee and a little anisette. Italian cookies are to die for and are also addicting. And yeah, what is it with Italians and the Orange guy?
Italians who forget that they’re immigrants love the Orange One. I don’t get how the memory fades that quickly and they’re all too happy to pull the ladder up behind them.
They are a regional cookie, my mother's family is from Gaeta and I think they originate there. They are made with Muscatel wine in the dough, then braided and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. The trick is to make them crispy and crunchy, not doughy. I've never attempted to make them. I should.
I agree with you for the most part bc we both live in places with big Italian Amer populations, so it’s easy for us to get the really good shit!
BUT, with a lot of family bakeries dying off bc people are either getting out of the biz or with no one to take over, and using cheaper ingredients bc everything is so expensive it’s really easy now to get shitty cookies.
A perfect biscotti, amaretti, or rainbow cookie is a gift. Also isn’t Stella D’Oro owned by someone else now? When I was kid those cookies were a staple in my house, and now they taste like basura.
It truly would not surprise me if Stella was owned by like…Pepsi these days. I’ve also been spoiled by having some of that fudge type cookie handmade! And you’re absolutely right - but that poster was based in Philly and you’d THINK Philly would have some really solid Italian bakeries.
I love the tricolor cookies. They're not gay, they're the color of the Italian flag---FLAG, WITH AN "L". I'm a sucker for a tasteful bit of amaretto. And, hot tip, if you're near a Home Goods, they usually have LOTS of Italian import cookies and the best dried pasta this side of the Bay of Naples.
Hey . . . it could have been worse (how could you forget cartellate, a mainstay at our table after dinner (and the way that nonna used to bribe us when we were too young to figure it out)
There is but one assorted tray cookie that gets me excited and it is the leaf cookie. Every once in a while they sneak a couple of the green or red leaf cookies onto one of these trays and I fucking devour them. I don't know why I hold the mighty leaf cookie in such high regard; no one else in my family likes them, just one more example of my black sheep status.
Am I about to start throwing hands over delightful little cookies that remind me of my childhood? Yes, yes I am.
This whole read is a DELIGHT.
Grazie to the max
Thank you!!
Love! I'm not Italian but call myself honorary because my uncle married my Italian aunt and her huge Italian family when I was 7 years old, so I've been indoctrinated. I've had Italian cookies from Nona (my cousin's Nona technically but mine by extension) at my wedding, baby showers, kids birthday, etc. They must be present or it's not a gathering.
Listen to me if you have a nonna you’re Italian!
I feel so welcomed and validated despite my English-German-Irish ancestry ❤️
And now I’m hungry and want all the cookies.
Omg! I'm salivating at all of those cookies and taking a walk down memory lane as you describe each one. I was immediately transported to Royal Pastry on a Sunday morning after mass when my dad would buy a pound of Italian cookies and a dozen cannolis, (with ricotta NOT custard) before we went to my grandparents' house for a visit. Stella Dora was a staple on my mom's shopping list. My Nanny (mom's mom) used to make wine cookies, those iced cookies stuffed with mincemeat and those little dough balls with the sprinkles and honey every holiday season. Italian cookies were often my breakfast the night after a family party, with a cup of coffee and a little anisette. Italian cookies are to die for and are also addicting. And yeah, what is it with Italians and the Orange guy?
Italians who forget that they’re immigrants love the Orange One. I don’t get how the memory fades that quickly and they’re all too happy to pull the ladder up behind them.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a wine cookie!!
They are a regional cookie, my mother's family is from Gaeta and I think they originate there. They are made with Muscatel wine in the dough, then braided and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. The trick is to make them crispy and crunchy, not doughy. I've never attempted to make them. I should.
I would LOVE to know how they turn out! That would be a nice piece to write, connecting to your family through this new kitchen experiment.
That sounds like a super fun idea! I will have to get the recipe from my mom .
you're so right for this. truly one of my greatest joys is letting myself go nuts at the deli filling a box full of these guys.
Roll up to Giancaspro family Christmas anytime, we got you. ❤️
I agree with you for the most part bc we both live in places with big Italian Amer populations, so it’s easy for us to get the really good shit!
BUT, with a lot of family bakeries dying off bc people are either getting out of the biz or with no one to take over, and using cheaper ingredients bc everything is so expensive it’s really easy now to get shitty cookies.
A perfect biscotti, amaretti, or rainbow cookie is a gift. Also isn’t Stella D’Oro owned by someone else now? When I was kid those cookies were a staple in my house, and now they taste like basura.
It truly would not surprise me if Stella was owned by like…Pepsi these days. I’ve also been spoiled by having some of that fudge type cookie handmade! And you’re absolutely right - but that poster was based in Philly and you’d THINK Philly would have some really solid Italian bakeries.
WOOF - I would think they’d have a ton!
I love the tricolor cookies. They're not gay, they're the color of the Italian flag---FLAG, WITH AN "L". I'm a sucker for a tasteful bit of amaretto. And, hot tip, if you're near a Home Goods, they usually have LOTS of Italian import cookies and the best dried pasta this side of the Bay of Naples.
Look, anyone who disrespects Italian cookies can catch these 👊👊lol! This post made me miss my grandmother’s pizzelles. So good!
Loved those as a kid, with you till the political comment. Sad!
Now, after showing us all that Italian delight, you should follow up with recipes.
I’ll have to make do with my Colomba Tradizionale and Tarallini zuccherati for now. *sighs*
Hmmm...this may be able to be done.
Yummy 😋
Stunatta . . . how could you forget cartellate??!
Hey with the names!! Uncalled for!
Hey . . . it could have been worse (how could you forget cartellate, a mainstay at our table after dinner (and the way that nonna used to bribe us when we were too young to figure it out)
Love your stack but this article says I hate your choice of president. I must withdraw.
Never was a fan of Italian cookies! Just the chocolate ones with filberts.
There is but one assorted tray cookie that gets me excited and it is the leaf cookie. Every once in a while they sneak a couple of the green or red leaf cookies onto one of these trays and I fucking devour them. I don't know why I hold the mighty leaf cookie in such high regard; no one else in my family likes them, just one more example of my black sheep status.
Oh the leaf cookie is an excellent choice! I would happily give you one from my tray anytime. ❤️
you're my lil talian kooky ❤️☮️