If you’re anything like me and you grew up in an Italian American household, these 10 things are staples in your childhood memories and are probably still in your life today:
1. Pasta at every meal
It doesn't matter if pasta doesn't go with the meal... Pasta will go with the meal because pasta goes with every meal.
2. Leaving Nonna's house stuffed like a turkey
From the moment you walk into her house she will ask you if you want to eat and she will never stop asking you if you want more.
3. Yelling is talking
This is just how we talk - please get used to it or you may politely use the door to your left.
4. Your coffee addiction started young
Espresso shots and cookies? Yup, always a staple snack at Nonna's.
5. Nonna is always right
It doesn't matter if you think she's wrong because she's right and she's always right. Trust Nonna... She will save you from a lot of pain.
6. La Famiglia is everything
Your family is your ride or die and will always be with you no matter what, but for some reason, us Italian Americans hold our family closer.
7. The Christmas cookies
If your family doesn’t make 30 different types of cookies are you really an Italian American? Also, if you don’t make a double or triple batch of each cookie then you’re doing something wrong.
8. It's sauce, not gravy
It’s tomato sauce. If it’s red, it’s sauce. If it goes on pasta, it’s sauce. Gravy is that brown stuff that goes on potatoes - get it right, people.
9. Where's the garlic?
If we can’t smell the garlic all the way down the street, then somethings wrong. One clove is not enough... Not even two is enough. We need more like five or six cloves.
10. Judging Italian food that’s not made by Nonna (or anyone in your family) hardcore
*sees a commercial for Olive Garden* “Ew that’s so gross it’s fake Italian, no flavor.”