Holidays…traditions…pastimes…and cooking!!! Who doesn't love to cook for hours to please all your loved ones around you? I do! And that's exactly what I've been doing for the past week. I was trying to decide which meals, baked goods and appetizers to create, so I asked my kids what their three favorite food items were.
We started off with a favorite among them all, spaghetti and meatballs -- a tribute to my Italian heritage a.k.a. The Rosa Bush. My grandfather, Roland Samuel Rosa (we later found out it was Salvatore Rosa) was born in Avigliano, Italy. He was one of the greatest people in the world. It warms my heart just thinking of him. My grandmother, Florence Grace Conselio was born in Waterbury, CT and was an incredibly sweet and funny person. And that was the start of the Rosa's!
I remember so vividly driving to my grandparents' home in Westbrook, CT the night before Thanksgiving. Undoubtedly, there would be that cute, round, brown, ceramic covered pot on the stove filled with the most amazing pasta shells and sauce. (We did NOT call it gravy like some Italians do!). Driving from RI to CT, all I could think about was that little ceramic pot on Grandma's stove. We sure had some yummy times at Grandma and Grandpa Rosa's! :)
Now, back to the spaghetti and meatballs…another Rosa worth talking about was my Uncle Bob. He was definitely the chef of the family! He's the one who taught me how to hard-boil an egg. (Not so Italian, I agree!) And he even wrote three cookbooks called, "The Trials and Tribulations of Roberto" by Robert E. Rosa.
I faithfully use his spaghetti sauce recipe each and every time, with a few adjustments and by adding a few of my specialty "Robin" spices. As a fond memory, I can always remember him letting me lick the back of the spoon to taste its richness. To me, the best part are the meatballs. Here is the recipe for the yummy meatballs, as it was told to me by Uncle Bob:
Ingredients
- 3 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 handful of salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp parsley (or more to taste)
- 5 oz. bread crumbs
- 3 oz. Parmesan cheese
- 5 eggs
Instructions
Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of water (maybe a bit more) to make a nice meatball. Transfer meatballs to a hot frying pan. Fry meatballs in oil until brown and crispy and then flip them to the other side. Délicioso! These make great appetizers for parties - contact me and I'll help you plan the perfect menu.
Depending on the mood I'm in, I'll either listen to Boyce Avenue or Ryan Seacrest, KIIS FM 102.7. I have to move to the groove when I cook! Stay tuned for a Report all about my love of dancing! ;)
This Report is dedicated in loving memory of Roland Rosa, Florence Rosa, Robert Rosa, Fran Rosa and Steve Rosa.
Buon anno!
