Panzanella was liked by Bronzino, a Florentine painter of 1500, adored panzanella to which he added the herb purslane (portulaca oleracea) a wild plant with thick fleshy leaves and a slightly acid taste, which is not used nowadays.

Aunt Vera Rappazzo is an excellent Italian cook whose family loves all the traditional Italian meals that she makes but especially her eggplant meatballs. This recipe will be enjoyed by one and all including ovo-lacto vegetarians.

Olives, peppers, garlic and anchovies make this an exciting side dish.

Sicilian-style cauliflower breaded and fried in olive oil.  Delicious.

The classic ceasar salad as generally attributed to restaurateur Caesar Cardini, an Italian-born Mexican.