In an Italian family, the celebratory ritual of creating and sharing the meal trumps all. In my own family this has also been the case.

Providing and preparing delicious nourishment can become an event that connects the members of a family in the present—while linking us to our shared past, and to those no longer at the table. In the act of peeling and chopping garlic cloves to sauté in olive oil with fresh tomatoes and basil for spaghetti sauce, my grandmother's presence is magically felt in my kitchen.

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Source: http://www.nwitimes.com