LaBellaSorella

Italian food, travel & lifestyle

  • Home
  • About
  • Italian Specialty Dishes
  • Italian Travel Memories
  • La Dolce Vita
  • Notable Italian Restaurants
  • Contact La Bella Sorella

Zucchini Stuffed with Pesto – Zucchini Ripiene di Pesto

August 15, 2016 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt 8 Comments

Zucchini Stuffed with Pesto | labellasorella.com

Isn’t it annoying this time of year when friends are moaning about the abundant zucchini crop and preparing zucchini bread as if it is the only dish worthy of this delicate squash?  Of course if you wait until what was a tender young zucchini turns dramatically into a baseball bat sized lethal weapon overnight, the choices may be limited.  Young zucchini freshly plucked in the early morning are the vegetable garden’s gift to the home chef.  Zucchini Stuffed with Pesto is the perfect accompaniment to grilled or roasted meats & chicken.  Summer entertaining should be effortless and boldly feature the flavors that abound – Zucchini Stuffed with Pesto is a shining example of that.

… 

Read More »

Filed Under: Side Dishes or Contorini

Eggplant Polpette / Eggplant Meatballs – Polpette di Melanzane

August 8, 2016 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt 12 Comments

ggplant Polpette / Eggplant Meatballs, don't they look amazing | labellasorella.com

Eggplant Polpette / Eggplant Meatballs, don't they look amazing | labellasorella.com

Eggplant Polpette poorly translated into English as Eggplant “Meatballs” is actually a vegetarian dish.  The word polpette commonly refers to meat patties cleverly enhanced with herbs, cheese and bread to extend whatever meat is on hand.  Over the years, the word seems to have become synonymous with any type of meatball.  Polpette is also used when referring to Italian vegetable based patties; Eggplant Polpette are a standard dish, particularly in the southern regions of Italy.  Eggplant makes an excellent base for this type of preparation; once it is cooked, it is easy mashed and combines well with numerous flavoring agents.  Oh, did I mention the Eggplant Polpette are fried…and honestly who wouldn’t love crispy fried eggplant morsels of goodness?

… 

Read More »

Filed Under: Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On, Side Dishes or Contorini

Radicchio, Celery & Apple Salad with Parmigiano – Insalata di Radicchio, Sedano e Mela con Parmigiano

January 25, 2016 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt 4 Comments

Radicchio, Celery, & Apple Salad with Parmigiano, the ultimate winter salad | labellasorella.com

Winter salads need to be contemplated quite differently; it’s dark, cold and thoughts of a light green salad to stave off the summer heat are long gone.  We need something substantial to bite into with vibrancy, texture and crunch.  Radicchio, Celery & Apple Salad with Parmigiano is the ultimate winter salad.  Easy to prepare, forgiving, versatile and satisfying  – just right as either a side dish or main course.

Granny Smith & Radicchio with lightly toasted California walnuts, the perfect pairing | labellasorella.com

The ingredient list for Radicchio, Celery, & Apple Salad with Parmigiano is merely a guide to be scaled up or down, easily allowing for ingredient adjustments.  I often interchange treviso (a variety of radicchio) for radicchio, or Pink Lady apples for Granny Smith, that’s the beauty of this salad.  The important thing to consider is that the produce should be market fresh and thinly sliced to have just the right mouth feel.

… 

Read More »

Filed Under: Salads for Every Season, Side Dishes or Contorini, Thanksgiving

Sicilian Style Cauliflower – Cavolfiore Siciliano

January 18, 2016 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt 2 Comments

Sicilian Style Cauliflower | labellasorella.com

Sicilian Style Cauliflower is a twist on a traditional combination of ingredients cauliflower being the primary ingredient,  seasoned with the flavors of Sicily.  It is simple to prepare and can be served as a contorini or side dish, combined with pasta, or a topping for bruschetta.  The recipe can be adjusted easily to accommodate your specific taste and can be prepared in advance.

… 

Read More »

Filed Under: Side Dishes or Contorini

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Welcome to La Bella Sorella!

After years of teaching regional Italian cooking classes, planning Italian adventures, and sharing my travel tips about Italy, starting a blog about Italian food, travels and lifestyle was a just natural next step. Learn More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Thank you. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

Recent Posts

  • Crostata di Ricotta & Viscioli – Ricotta & Sour Cherry Tart May 26, 2020
  • Almond Cookies with Cherry Preserves – Biscotti di Ceglie March 25, 2019
  • Gnocchi alla Romana – Roman Style Semolina Gnocchi February 11, 2019
  • Chickpea & Pumpkin Soup – Zuppa di Ceci & Zucca November 26, 2018
  • Chiara’s Pear Torte – La Torta di Pere della Chiara November 4, 2018
  • Gavi Ravioli – Ravioli a Culo Nudo al Gavi October 1, 2018

Archives

  • May 2020
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014

Categories

  • Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On
  • Basic Techniques
  • Beverages with an Italian Twist
  • Breads & Pizza
  • Comforting Soups, Pasta Dishes & Risottos
  • December Holidays
  • Desserts to Dream Of
  • Egg Dishes for Every Occasion
  • Living La Dolce Vita in California
  • Main Course Dishes or Secondi
  • None
  • Notable Italian Restaurants
  • On the Road in Italy
  • Passover
  • Rosh Hashanah
  • Salads for Every Season
  • Shavuot
  • Side Dishes or Contorini
  • Thanksgiving
  • Wine & Aperitivo Time

Blogroll

  • Parla Food
  • La Tavola Marche
  • Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino
  • Panini Girl
  • smitten kitchen
  • Due Spaghetti
  • Italy on My Mind
  • Ciao Chow Linda
  • Brooklyn Salt
  • Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome
  • Memorie di Angelina
  • Juls' Kitchen
  • Silvia's Cucina
  • Emiko Davies
  • Domenica Cooks
  • Marisa’s Italian Kitchen

Connect

After years of teaching regional Italian cooking classes, planning Italian adventures, and sharing my travel tips about Italy, starting a blog about Italian food, travels and lifestyle was a just natural next step. Learn More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Popular Posts

Copyright © 2025 Paula Barbarito-Levitt