Portrait by John Moore
My Anglo-Scandinavian surname belies my matrilineal heritage.
I come from a big Italian-American family—the DiRosas, the Leones, the Maclis, the Massas, the Mirras—whose tasty traditions dominated my childhood. Sunday pasta dinners with cousins, aunts and uncles were the welcome end prize to our mandatory Mass attendance. My brother Eric and I loved when my mom was “the one making the macaroni” because it meant we’d wake up those mornings to the heaven-sent scent of meatballs frying on the stove. (Better than bacon, even.)
So, it’s no surprise that feasting took center stage in our homes from late November through January. We debated whether that year’s signature sausage stuffing (a recipe for which we all seemed to be born knowing) measured up to Granny’s original. My godfather would somehow (miraculously) grill filet mignon to each guest’s preference, plated at the same time as my godmother’s lobster tails and sides, which had already followed my mom’s manicotti and about a dozen starters on Christmas Eve. In the morning, we spent an hour post-presents arranging antipasti, which had been ordered weeks in advance from the “special” deli, to kick off a day when food was served nonstop until bedtime.
By January, we had reason to fast (although we never did).
Writer Elizabeth Keyser gets the feast-your-way-through festivities so well the only challenge editing her indulgent feature “Season’s Eatings” (page 56) was paring back her plentiful ideas for space. She serves up more than 40 delicious ways—from a slate
of calendar dates to savory hostess gifts to old and new culinary traditions—that will add full-on flavor to all your celebrations.
We’re also looking forward to commemorating another December tradition—the Light a Fire Awards. For more than a decade, Moffly Media has honored special members of our community who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others. Jill Johnson Mann brings us the stories (page 44) of this year’s 10 inspiring recipients from across the county, including Stamford’s Ahmad Mickens (RF Youth Boxing) and Edith Presley (Cradle to Career). The event will take place at the Westport County Playhouse on December 4. Tickets are available at stamfordmag.com.
I hope to see you there, hors d’oeuvre in hand.
Melinda Anderson