I am using a food that is culturally important to me, a pasta called gnocchi. Gnocchi is a type of Italian pasta traditionally made from ricotta or potato, but can also be made with spinach. Gnocchi originated from northern Italy and was first made with potato but later on was experimented with and now there are all kinds of different ways to make it. My father, who is a chef, introduced me to gnocchi and told me all about its cultural significance to me and how it is made. It’s one of my favorite dishes to this day and by far is my favorite type of pasta. I don’t connect any special holiday to Gnocchi, but it is a fairly rare occasion when my dad makes it for me. I connect it to my father the most since he takes a lot of Italian influences in the dishes he makes, and he is interested in our Italian heritage. My great great grandfather came from Italy in 1886, I went to Italy last year to experience the culture, food and explore my heritage. Gnocchi is an Italian dish, and probably sparked my love for Italian food in general. I wouldn’t really know much about my heritage if it wasn’t for my dad, he thinks it is important and loves to show my family our Italian side through the food he makes. This food is important to me because it was the first Italian dish I ever tried and led me to explore all kinds of pastas and other Italian foods through my dad making me all kinds of dishes from all over Italy. Also, it is one of the only connections I have to my family heritage.

– Zane Magnani

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more