Growing Up Italian — Sensory Overload

The Smells and Tastes

Without question I think we Italians were blessed with some of the best smells and tastes in the world. Whether it be the Italian bakery, Salumeria or the Italian restaurant. All contributing to the sensory overload in a very special way.

Who can forget walking into the Italian bakery and the aroma of fresh baked cookies, bread and pastries. What do you select? My favorites were pinogli cookies, the rainbow cookie, fresh filled cannoli and sfogliatelle.

How about the great smell entering the Salumeria. Fresh cheeses, dried meats and sausage the best. Cammerati’s up the block from my grandmother’s house would grate the cheese on demand. What a party for the nose.

There were no chain Italian restaurants back in the day. Most were mom and pop with home style cooking. We had a favorite in Flushing Queens, DiMaggio’s. Dad was friends with the owner and we went there often.

Nothing beat the smell of the ( sauce/gravy ) taker your pick, cooking on the stove early in the morning! The garlic, frying meatballs and later the pot boiling for the pasta. By the way, did anyone call it pasta back then, we knew it as macaroni.

We had a favorite lemon chicken dish to go with the homemade ravioli or manicotti. Let’s not forget the endless parade of food from noon to 6 on the holidays.

Here’s the link to some of my favorite recipes.

Recipes

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The Sights

We all had some interesting and unique sights I believe that led to sensory overload growing up Italian. For one, the Madonna, on the front lawn. Ok, maybe everyone didn’t have one, but there were a lot. I also remember the crucifix in the bedroom. Not too many pope photos, but they were around.

Now don’t try to tell my that you didn’t not have at least one aunt that had the plastic covers on the sofa, that you would stick to in the summer. My mom had at least one sofa. And the plastic runners to protect the carpet. You guys under 50 have no idea!

The Italian feasts hit all the senses, sight, sound, smell and taste. What a party. The smell and taste of sausage and peppers, the zeppole frying, the games. We had one right on the block in the summer.

The best sight of all was seeing all the aunts, uncles and cousins gather in my grandmother’s yard for an all day feast!

The Sounds

So I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that Italians can be a little load. For a culture known for talking with their hands we do pretty well with the decibel level. That being said it was mostly all in good fun.

Of course we had the best singers too. At every party my aunt Mary would break into Mama or Che La Luna in Italian and my aunts and uncles would join in. My uncle Tony was great on the harmonica and would always do some solos, and his Charlie Chaplain routine ( which was the silent part of the party ).

Please comment with your interesting Sensory Overload experience.

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