Thursday, March 27, 2014

Telling HerStory 2014: The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken



The Book:

The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken. A Search for Food and Family by Laura Scenone

What's it about:

From the author's website: "Award-winning author Laura Schenone goes on an quest to retrieve a long-lost family recipe, traveling from New Jersey's gritty industrial wastelands and the fast-paced disposable culture of its suburbs to the dramatically beautiful coast of Liguria -- with its pesto, smoked chestnuts, torte, and -- most beloved of all -- ravioli, the food of celebration and happiness. Along the way, she gives us the comedies and heartbreaks of family life, a story of love and loss, and the mysteries of pasta, rolled into a perfect circle of gossamer dough."


Why you should read it:

You might be thinking "what does this have to do with genealogy?" And I would reply "Everything!" This is a great book about family stories and proving/disproving them by using all types of sources including interviews, heirlooms, and traveling to the familial homeland. I can't say enough about this book. It doesn't matter that your ancestors weren't Italian, READ IT! It's a great example of being curious about your family, asking questions, and then seeking the answers.


Additional resources:

  • Laura Schenone website
  • The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken on YouTube

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