Nonna (Nana) Knows Best

 

Nonna Knows Best - she knew it then and she knows it now!

The summer continues to roll slowly along in our little corner of the world. The grass has died off, leaving funny brown patches and sporadic spots of vibrant green weeds. The tomatoes, zucchini and capsicum plants are all full of flowers. The potato plants are looking sad on top but are flourishing deep beneath the warm, brown soil. There is nothing better than potatoes for producing a rich, nutrient-dense soil. Every afternoon I give the chickens and the rabbits a cooling shower. I spray the trees above their enclosures so that drips of water continue to drop down on them long after the hose is turned off. In the cool mornings, we collect eggs, feed the chickens, water the plants and breath the summer air. By late morning we are inside, enjoying the slow days with board games, lego, movies, paper crafts and reading. The children want to play on their devices (of course) but we encourage as much creative play as we can before we let them on. As I type this my daughter is sitting opposite me writing out a recipe for macaroons which she plans to make. She is decorating the page of her scrapbook with a pretty heading and stickers of cakes and other desserts.

I've been reading a lot, enjoying some lighter reads such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. One of my favourite non-fiction re-reads has been Nonna Knows Best by Jaclyn Crupi. I first mentioned this beautiful book in March last year. It is full of the wisdom and tradition of the Italian grandmother, but the more I read it the more I am reminded of traditions and advice used by both of my own grandmothers. Although neither were Italian, they still held many of their traditions close to their heart. My love for all things Italian isn't a secret and when I can source inspiration from this ancient and beautiful culture, you can bet I certainly will!

Annabel at The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm recently started a series called Save Like Nana Did which shares so much of the wisdom of our wonderful nanas (nonnas) and grandpas (nonnos). As the cost of living continues to rise around the world, looking to those who came before us on how to live well whilst living within our means is not only fun but it just makes sense. This is exactly what we aim to do here at It's a Classical Life, after all!

Summer days are perfect for quiet moments of stillness, iced coffee on the verandah and slow mornings

"Some people put money in the bank, nonnas put it in the cantina (pantry or cellar)."

Crupi spends a lot of time on the topic of food in her book. The slow, simple way in which ingredients are brought together in a magical, yet well-loved way, to feed all the family and still have leftovers. The joy taken in feeding others their favourite food (and taking the time to actually learn what others' favourite food may be). The time spent in the garden growing seasonal produce, and then being able to put it to use straight away or else preserving, canning or drying it for a later date. All of these are important skills that we shouldn't forget or lose in these days of convenience shopping and take away meals. As Crupi says, "the time and effort nonnas devote to food is all about love." The way that we prepare our food and the meals that we make is important, but so too is the way that we consume it. Just like in the old days, meals should be eaten together at the dinner table where nourishment and the sharing of the day go hand in hand. We come together over food, but it is the conversation that keeps us there. Taking the time to enjoy food, to be prepared in our ingredients and keeping our pantries stocked, is one of the simplest ways to put our grandmothers' examples to use. 

I remember long summer afternoons spent over the dining table at my maternal grandparents' house. We would often spend a week or two at their central coast home. Some of my favourite food that we would have included chicken risotto, roast potatoes, lamb pastitsio, olives and laughing cow cheese. Snacks included Jatz crackers, apricots, pistachio nuts and always, always copious amounts of milk arrowroot biscuits slathered in butter and dunked into cups of sugary tea. In fact, we still call arrowroot biscuits "nana biscuits" in our house! Just like nonna, my nana's pantry was always filled on those summer holidays, ready for the family to descend. 

Being prepared and having a pantry filled with staples ready to make your favourite meals (and those of your loved ones) is good common sense, especially in these days of rising grocery prices and food supply shortages. 

"Nonnas are organised, and they're willing to shop often. But if for some reason they know they cannot get to the store to buy food, they will get organised and plan their meals, buying everything they need in bulk." 

Last year I started making meal plans for the month, rather than by the week. I've found this to be so handy and even though it takes a bit longer than weekly meal planning, it means that I can shop for specials, stock the pantry and freezer and know that I've planned for the coming month with things I already have on hand. Thus, when I shop I'm getting ready for the next month. And my tip for getting this done easily? Friday in our house is always fish and potato chips (homemade, not take away), Tuesday is always pasta and Sunday is a roast in winter or a barbecue in summer. That's twelve days out of the thirty already filled in! There are so many variations on these meals that we never get bored, and everyone likes the routine. 

My paternal grandmother used to have a little song in fact, that I remember my father singing. 

                                    Saturday chicken, Friday fresh fish, 
                                Thursday roast beef, Wednesday soup, 
                                Tuesday spaghetti, Monday string beans.
                            All you hungry children, come and eat it up!

All the cousins, aunties, and uncles would often get together at my paternal grandparents' house for Sunday lunches. Snacks also included crackers, fruit and nuts, and then there was usually a barbecue with salads, or roast meat with vegetables. There was always enough to go around and my nana's tiny old kitchen was always a bustling hive of children looking for more drinks, and women cooking. There was no dishwasher so there was a constant turnover of plates going through the sink! Later, when I was at university I used to spend Monday nights with my nana in Sydney. She would cook me the most wonderful comfort dinners, such as tuna mornay, creamy mash potato and pork chops, and lamb cutlets with corn. One night when I came in sick with a bad cold, she made me a chicken broth with noodles and served me in bed. There was so much love in those meals that I will cherish for the rest of my life!

An affordable, well-stocked pantry begins with growing your own food

There is much wisdom to be learnt from those who came before us. If you haven't already, please stop by Annabel's blog and read her series on Save Like Nana Did. We all want to help and encourage each other during these tough times, without losing the joy of life. One of the easiest ways to do this is by being prepared with our meals, growing the food that we enjoy eating (as much as we are able) and sharing it over lingering meals with those we love. After all, "happiness is a full pantry."

Buon appetito!