Daniel Paterna Author

Daniel Paterna’s Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn-Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family is a timely reminder that a shared memory of food draws upon and enriches our souls.
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My brother reminded me of our Mothers birthday, A

My brother reminded me of our Mothers birthday, All Souls Day, while we and another friend discussed our neighborhood and generational brands from The Greatest to Gen Z. Evidently I’m in the little know “Jones” subset. Being the post group of baby boomers “ Jonesing” for the success of earlier boomers success in career employment.

As I sat there, my mind drifted, side tracked, briefly removed and silenced by the wow of completely forgetting my Mom’s birthday.

Earlier that day, oblivious to this memorialized date, I scrambled for what to prep for dinner. I interwove voting and the collection of to dos lists of a typical Saturday afternoon.

Settling in meal prep back home, home, Madeline and I began by peeling potatoes, blending tomatoes, onions, zucchini, eggplant and cutting peppers. I murmured to her that “…this dish always reminds of Grandma.” Madeleine replied, “ yeah Dad, me too. Although I never made it with her, Grandma’s house always smelled this good.”

I went on my way to meet my brother while Madeline stayed home completed the simmering what we made. I left, imagining how good it would be.

Later the night, arriving home, unloading my car, removing my hat and coat and headed downstairs, placed my solidly packed box of Coluccio’s & Sons (& Daughter too) goods on my kitchen counter I eagerly turned toward the pot on our stove top.

I was profoundly surprised, stopping mid-sentence asking Madeline how the Cimabotta tasted, blurting out, “Oh My God. I actually didn’t forget Grandma’s birthday Madeline…Today is November 2nd and I unwittingly chose today to her favorite dish !” It was the one and only day of the entire year I made this meal. A lifetime of food and family can only make sense of it…

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

🎵Sergio Bruno -Comme Facette Mammeta

HapPy HaUnting 🎃# 🇮🇹 FEAST OF THE SEVEN

HapPy HaUnting 🎃#

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#brookylnitalian
#photomemoir
#saveurmag
#cheflomonaco
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum

To me Stuffed Calimari is, in our family, analogou

To me Stuffed Calimari is, in our family, analogous to rolling out the red carpet. One memory stands out…🚘

“In 1966 my parents ventured beyond the borders of Bensonhurst, sharing the driving on a month long trip to visit our great Uncle Jim, who’d opened a pizzeria 🍕in a suburb of Los Angeles. We celebrated our adventure the very day we left with a stuffed 🦑 calamari dinner prepared by my Aunt Jo and Uncle Joe. We left their small 44th Street apartment after dinner and the impression stays with me still: The gift of a special meal prepared with love as a send off. There were tears as we departed towards the unknown. There were lots of unknowns at that time for a family that wouldn’t allow you to go around the block, let alone a 3,000 mile trip across the country. And no one should leave hungry!”

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

*freshly inked books on route from Italy!

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonac

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#brookylnitalian
#photomemoir
#saveurmag
#cheflomonaco
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum
#bookstagram

⛳️My Father would often say he got most of his

Steak “ Pizzaiola” is a dish created out of es

Steak “ Pizzaiola” is a dish created out of essential ingredients a pizza pro has in their kitchen. Basil, oregano, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil salt and pepper.

My version, made here for my Son who “helped” create this clip, was inspired by my Uncle Joe. He made it for me for the first time in the upstairs apartment of our house in #brooklyn . I loved his shift from the traditional saucy stew classic🍅. It was astounding then and inspires me to this day.

🛒Recipe
▫️2 pounds cherry or grape tomatoes
▫️1 1/2 pounds skirt steak cut in 3-inch pieces, lightly salted
▫️2 cloves randomly chopped garlic
for steak
▫️2 cloves cracked garlic for tomatoes
▫️4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
▫️1 sprig of fresh oregano, leaves only
▫️2 branches of fresh basil, leaves only
▫️1 tablespoon salt and black pepper to taste

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

🎶
Buona Sera Signorina
-performed by Louis Leo Prima

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#brookylnitalian
#photomemoir
#saveurmag
#cheflomonaco
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum

As a child, the sun rose and set nestled in my mot

As a child, the sun rose and set nestled in my mother guidance. I never could ever imagine what influence she’d have on me until I was able to see her from a matured eye. Composing patten’s of her life as we aged, I realized the indelible influence her time would have on mine. Lucky to have experienced the time we had.

What did you remember to remember about mom?

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

🎶 Because Of You - Tony Bennet

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#brookylnitalian
#photomemoir
#saveurmag
#cheflomonaco
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum

The Feast…was first reviewed by The Brooklyn Eag

The Feast…was first reviewed by The Brooklyn Eagle over four years ago. Miraculously I’ve been “welcomed back “ so to speak, for this amazingly generous interview. If you are a subscriber it can be accessed here:
https://brooklyneagle.com/food-and-drink-landing/ otherwise I found mine at my local food shop for free!

“Preserving his Bensonhurst family legacy, writer Daniel Paterna heightens awareness of all family legacies.

Daniel Paterna is a Bensonhurst native whose Italian-American heritage and eye for design melded into his best-selling book, “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” named for the famous Christmas Eve meal. As much a memoir as a cookbook, Daniel’s story spans multiple generations, with tales of immigration, love, and, at the forefront, good, simple food that fosters family and community. In speaking with Daniel, it’s obvious that his dedication to keeping his family heritage alive is as strong as his dedication to his own children.” -Alice Gilbert The Brooklyn Eagle.
Thanks again @andrewcotto @alice_alicealicealicealice

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#brookylnitalian
#photomemoir
#saveurmag
#cheflomonaco
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum

Greetings from Rome!🇮🇹 “In the heart of B

Greetings from Rome!🇮🇹

“In the heart of Brooklyn, amidst the bustling streets and diverse communities, lies a treasure trove of culinary heritage. It’s here that Daniel Paterna, a proud Italian-American with deep roots in his ancestral homeland, has crafted a masterpiece that transcends mere recipes - it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and Daniel’s rich Italian-American culture.

In “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” Daniel shares not just recipes, but stories that resonate with authenticity and love for his Italian heritage.”

-Wendy Holloway, The Flavor Of Italy
https://wendyholloway.substack.com/p/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-a-brooklyn

Thank you my friend @mangiawithmichele
For making this happen!

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#savuragazine
#pizzaathome
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum
#bookstagram
#feastofthesevenfishes

Often times gifts are not so obvious. They may be

Often times gifts are not so obvious. They may be revealed during a small family interlude you presumed ordinary. You may think no one see’s it the way you do until time tells you it wasn’t.

Life is how you interpret it. You may find yourself at the beginning of your own families history. My stories are inspired by the linkages manifested in food, family and solemnity of traditions.

This is short story began long before I was a glimmer in my parent’s eyes. It is pathway of how this simple bowl, modified by my Grandfather nearly a century ago, carried much more than the simple ingredients of flour, yeast and eggs.

Take five minutes, grab a slice of your own Easter tradition and watch someone else do the baking.

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

Music credits:
Donald Johanos
Symphony No 1 Ion C Major 2.

Matteo Salvatore
Mo ve’la bella Mia da la muntanga

Stephen Layton
The lamb

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#savuragazine
#pizzaathome
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum
#bookstagram
#feastofthesevenfishesmovie

✝️This Palm Sunday mediation is of one of the

✝️This Palm Sunday mediation is of one of the many traditional pies families make leading up to Easter. This is ours.

🥧Sausage pie, or casatiello, is a fortified fortress of eggs, ricotta, mozzarella, Romano cheese and finely sliced dry fennel sausage. The final product is a thing of majesty. Its domed grandeur always reminded me of the
Pantheon in Rome.

The genre of savory pies originated in and around the region of Naples and was traditionally served as a complete first meal to celebrate the end of Lent and the 40-day religious fast. My family could not wait until it completed its 2-hour oven firing. What away to
break a fast!

FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

🎼
Gnossiennes No.1 by Eric Satie
Orchestra Of The Swan

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#savuragazine
#pizzaathome
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies

This bit of 🇮🇹pastry heaven are a once a yea

This bit of 🇮🇹pastry heaven are a once a year miracle honoring Saint Joeseph the carpenter. Napoli has their version in honor of Father’s Day made with custard cream.

Anyone lucky enough to have his name sake get a knock on their door with a fresh delivery on this day, St. Joseph’s Day.
Aunt Josephine and Uncle Joe would where we’d gather and sample the unique differences of several local Italian pasty shops. Ours are @filoncino_bakerycafe @savaresepastry

Italians are a people passionate about life and death as expressed through the preparation of food. Nothing could be more definitive by honoring the deceased as having one or more of these divinely dedicated pastries. The Amarena wild cherries are beyond words.

I enjoy extruding the dough into a “maruzzel” snail shape trying to avoid clumping in the center.
Buona Festa di San Giuseppe!

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

🎵
Maruzzella - Claudio Villa

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#savuragazine
#pizzaathome
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies

Polpettone Made this “large meatball” (English

Polpettone
Made this “large meatball” (English translation -meatloaf.) *last pic of three is of the combined ingredients

I use my meatball recipe with added onion. Can you tell it’s totally vegan? I made it for Madeline and quite frankly myself.

*️⃣traditional way just swap out the first three ingredient for ground beef and eggs.

Set oven to 350
Combine the following and bake:

🛒
1 1/2 lbs IMPOSSIBLE ground
plant based meat
4 tbs of chick pea flour
2 tbs egg substitute
1 cup of dry bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
1/2 cup grated vegan cheese
3 tbs ketchup
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp sea salt or to taste
1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese can also add on top with additional marinara sauce

👨‍🍳
◽️Form a loaf in a rectangular oiled pan surrounded with cut potatoes and or peas
◽️Cover with aluminum foil an bake for at least :45 minutes or until loaf is firm and potatoes are soft and another
:20 without foil covering.

I like this variation especially for folks up in age like me who benefit by earing less animal fat diet than my earlier days. My older relatives who had to give up meat for health reasons would have satisfied their “a vuole!” Son Luca, who is of that indiscriminate late night eating age and ate ALL the leftovers, was shocked when I told him it was all plant based Polpettone.
God bless!

🇮🇹
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES:
A BROOKLYN ITALIAN’S RECIPES CELEBRATING FOOD & FAMILY

Written contributions by:
John Turturro and
Chef Michael Lomonaco
Website link in my bio

#nytimescooking
#nytimesbooks
#ediblebrooklyn
#official_italian_food
#bonappetitmag
#tasteofhome
#TASTEcooking
#brooklynhistory
#brooklynbites
#naifitalianamerican
#growingupitalian
#italianamerican
#foodie
#books
#saveurmag
#cheflomonaco
#italianheritagenyc
#ItalianFood
#Foodies
#thetenementmuseum
#bookstagram
#feastofthesevenfishesfestival
#foodphotographer

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Paterna is the real deal, a second-generation Italian American, whose family has preserved their culture from the shores of Naples to the streets of Bensonhurst. more…