Nonna’s Kitchen: Southern Italian Home Cooking

Step into the heart of Southern Italy and experience the soul-satisfying flavors of Nona’s table with food writer and chef instructor Shawnie Kelley. In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll prepare a classic three-course meal inspired by the warm, inviting kitchens of Southern Italy. From the rolling hills of Calabria to the sun-kissed coasts of Sicily, you’ll learn how to make beloved Italian dishes that have been passed down through generations.

With a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, simple techniques, and bold flavors, this class will teach you how to recreate a traditional Southern Italian meal that would make any Nonna proud. Enjoy each dish with a story of its origin and learn the secrets to perfecting these family-style recipes at home.

On the menu:

Eggplant Caponata – a classic Sicilian dish made with tender eggplant, tomatoes, capers, olives, and aromatics. Simmered until rich and tangy and served on toasted crostini for the perfect bite of sweet, savory, and briny flavors.

Pasta with Broccoli Rabe & Spicy Sausage – Shawnie demonstrates how to make and hand-cut fresh pasta, then you’ll use house-made pasta to create a delicious bowl of broccoli rabe (a.k.a. rapini), peppers, and spicy sausage. This classic pairing balances the bitterness of the greens with the richness of sausage—simple, satisfying, and authentically Italian.

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