SUNDAY SAUCE
Wxcerpted From SUNDAY SAUCE "When Italian-Americans Cook"
by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
Of
all the fine traditions of the Italian-American enclave in the United States, the
Sunday afternoon ritual of making and eating a Sunday Sauce, is Italian-America’s
most Time-Honored of all.
Mamma, Grandma (Nonna) will make her celebrated “Sunday Sauce,” also known
simply as “Gravy,” it is glorious. Sunday Sauce? What is it? Well, first off,
Sunday Sauce, or as some call it, “Gravy” is without question thee number-1
undisputed “Supreme Dish” of Italian-American Cuisine and the Italian-American
enclave. When it comes to food, it doesn’t get much better than Sunday Sauce. Ok, now, to be more specific
for those who may not know about Sunday Sauce, there are a number of variations
on the theme. Most Sunday Sauces are made with Italian Sausages, Braciole, and
Meatballs. Some people make their versions with; Beef or Pork Neck, while
others make their Gravy (Sunday Sauce) with just Sausage and Meatballs or Meatballs,
Sausages, and Braciole, these later two being the most popular. Some may throw
some Chicken Thighs or a Veal Shank into this mix. Sunday Sauces can be made
with any combination of these aforementioned meats. The meats are slowly
simmered for several hours in a “Sauce” made with tomatoes, minced onions, and
garlic. I generally like to make my Sunday Sauce with Sausages, Meatballs, and Pork Ribs. Other
times I’ll make it with Sausage, Meatballs, and Braciole. An old tradition in some families is that
mother or Grandma would start the Sauce early on a Sunday morning, get it
simmering away on top of the stove, then put it on a very low flame and let it
slowly simmer for a couple hours more while everyone goes to Church. When you get
back home, the Sauce would be ready, “ready to be devoured that is!”
Our
family would usually start our great Sunday meal with the most traditional
Italian-American-Antipasto of roast peppers, Salami, olives, Celery, and Provolone.
After that, it’s on to the “Main Event” of Maccheroni and Sunday Sauce,
a dish which is something so Blissfully and Pleasurably Sublime, that it is
almost “Sinful,” yes it is.
When a meal centered around a Sunday Sauce
is announced, one can have visions of Blissful
Ecstasy at thoughts of eating Pasta laden with Italian Sausages, Savory
Meatballs, Beef Braciola, and succulent Pork Ribs. All this has been slowly
simmered to culinary perfection. Yes just the thoughts can enrapture one into a
Delightful Frenzy of the Most Blissful
Feelings of smelling, seeing, and consuming all the ingredients, the
Sausages, Meatballs and Gravy. Yes a Sunday Sauce can and does have such
effects on one’s mind, body- and-soul. And, I do not want to sound prejudice,
but this is pure fact, it is the Male of the Italian-American species who Love
The Sunday Sauce in all its form, far more than the female sex. True! Meatballs
too! And Italian-American men and boys Love and hold oh-so-dear, their
Meatballs, Sunday Sauce, Sausage & Peppers, and Meatball Parm Sandwiches.
No comments:
Post a Comment