The Macaroni's in the Basement: Stories and Recipes, South Brooklyn 1947 [Paperback]

Fran Claro rolls out the welcome mat and invites us into the lives of four lively Italian grandmas in post-World War II Brooklyn. You can almost smell the aroma of roasting garlic and hear the laughter of the nonnas punctuating their daily conversations about the truly important things in life-family, faith, and the best way to prepare roast pork. ?Opinionated, witty and ever mindful of what's cooking for dinner, Maddelana, Giuseppina, Aniella, and Concetta concern themselves with making sure all things in the neighborhood are as they should be. From hatching matchmaking schemes and advising young mommies to providing the proper desserts for funerals and enforcing the no talking rule in church (for others, not themselves), the nonnas generously share their wisdom and experience with those who asked and?those who don't. Fran Claro serves up a savory slice of Americana, complete with mouth-watering recipes straight from the nonnas themselves. The Macaroni's in the Basement is a treat for the soul and the tastebuds.

A new cookbook with stories about the nonne, a quartet of feisty, determined grandmas who run the world from their kitchens in South? Brooklyn in 1947.?They are exhaling a post-War sigh of relief -- dancing at block parties, celebrating births and weddings, and marveling at the Coney Island fireworks?on Tuesday?nights. They share an attitude of seeming nonchalance while working night and day, and a love for anything related to family, faith, and food.?Its their cooking that they are passionate about.??Their?language is food, their currency is recipes.

Fran Claro is a writer, editor, chef, baker and a long-time recipe archivist and creator. Her writing can be found in The Dream Book: An Anthology of Writings by Italian American Women and ongrandparents.com. She's nonna to 11 grandchildren and she lives in Westchester, NY, where she concocts Italian American feasts for her friends and family.