Episodes

  • The Feast of San Gennaro, Smerladina Water, and Vinny Marano
    Oct 17 2024

    Sandra and Martin recount their trip to the Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street in New York City. Then Martin discusses the cultural significance of the old St. Patrick's church. In the main segment, they conclude their interview with Vinny Marano, where they discuss commedia dell'arte, the film Scaramouche, and finally resolve the question of who discovered America (spoiler alert: it may have been Vinny's Aunt Maria. . .).

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Sparkling Sardinian Waters Meet Commedia dell'Arte
    Oct 8 2024

    Sandra and Martin discuss and sample a distinctive brand of sparkling water from Sardinia called Smerladina, whose name harkens back to the Commedia dell"Arte, the great theatre of the Italian renaissance. In the main segment, they speak with a true renaissance man, Martin's friend Vincent Marano.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Motor City Pizza
    Sep 23 2024

    Sandra and Martin discuss and sample Detroit style pizza. Then they speak with Martin's mom about focaccia and making and enjoying home made pizza with Grandma Alba and Chad Scarborough.

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    46 mins
  • Cherries and Peaches and Plums: Oh My!
    Sep 14 2024

    Sandra and Martin talk about the summer watermelon fights of their youth, and then sample the best fruit of the season. Martin also serves up an old Italian summer treat: peaches in wine. In the main section, they speak with Emily March of March Farms in Bethlehem CT. Emily will tell them about growing peaches and cherries in CT, the joys and hardships of farming, and what it’s like to eat a ripe peach just picked from the tree.

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Butcher's Best: A Touch of Italy in Newtown CT
    Aug 7 2024

    Sandra and Martin sample authentic Italian fennel sausage and Irish bangers crafted by Steve Ford of Butcher's Best Country Market in Newtown Connecticut. In the main section, they speak with Steve about how he learned his trade, the philosophy behind his store, enjoying life's simple pleasures and taking care of one's community.

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    51 mins
  • Grandma Alba's 1 Egg Wonder Cake
    Jul 29 2024

    Sandra and Martin sample a variety of food and drink including Grandma Alba's 1 Egg Wonder Cake. Then they speak with Martin's mom about the authentic recipe of the cake - spoiler alert, it might require a different number of eggs then the title suggests.

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    58 mins
  • McDonalds in Italy? - An Infamia that Birthed Slow Food
    Jul 17 2024

    It's Book Club Day again! In this episode, Sandra and Martin explore Slow Food Revolution A New Culture for Eating and Living by Carlo Petrini. When a McDonald's restaurant opened in Rome in 1986, a small group of incensed and passionate Italians crafted a manifesto and put it into action resulting in the "Slow Food" revolution. Nearly 40 years later, the movement remains vital and necessary. The conversation is enhanced with a surprise luncheon and a surprise excerpt from a beloved Italian classic.

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    53 mins
  • "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Fresh Pasta" - Patsy Enrico
    Jul 2 2024

    In this episode, Sandra and Martin discuss the virtues of fresh pasta, and in the main segment, they speak with Martin's friend Susie Linn, who was at the vanguard of the fresh pasta movement in Albany, New York circa 1985 vis-a-vis a unique eatery called Pasta Express. Afterwards, Martin serves fresh pasta acquired through a vending machine from Westport's Il Pastaficio, topped off with the finest jar marinara sauce from Mike's Deli on Arthur Avenue.

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    1 hr and 1 min