Italian Food and Family History

Summary

Charles Tuminello shares his Italian-American heritage and the process of making *pels*, a traditional Italian cookie with ancient roots. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Charles was introduced to a blend of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking before marrying into an Italian family. He walks us through the simple yet special recipe for *pels*, which are made using flour, eggs, butter, and flavorings like anise or vanilla. These delicate, snowflake-patterned cookies can be served plain or filled with ricotta and chocolate chips for a sweet treat, embodying family traditions and cultural heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Charles Tuminello introduces himself as a second-generation Italian-American, with family roots from Sicily and Calabria, Italy.
• 😀 His family history traces back to the early 20th century, with his father’s side settling in Pittsburgh and his mother’s side in New York City.
• 😀 Charles grew up in south-central Pennsylvania, which was heavily influenced by German and Swiss settlers, leading to Pennsylvania Dutch-style cooking.
• 😀 He shares a personal experience of marrying into a traditional Italian family and having to learn how to prepare Italian dishes, like twirling spaghetti instead of cutting it.
• 😀 The focus of the video is on making 'pels,' a traditional Italian cookie known as the oldest cookie in the world.
• 😀 The recipe for pels is simple, involving flour, baking powder, eggs, butter, and flavoring such as vanilla or anise, with the latter being an acquired taste.
• 😀 An important component of making pels is using a pel iron, which resembles a waffle maker and creates a snowflake pattern on the cookies.
• 😀 The pel iron is used by placing a walnut-sized amount of batter on each side, clamping it shut, and allowing the batter to cook for 35 seconds.
• 😀 Once cooked, the pels can be enjoyed flat, or if rolled while still warm, they can be filled with a ricotta and confectioner's sugar filling, creating a delicious treat similar to cannoli.
• 😀 Charles offers a recap of the process and invites viewers to ask for another demonstration if needed, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding.

Q & A

What is the cultural background of Charles Tuminello?

Charles Tuminello is Italian-American, with his paternal grandfather hailing from Sicily and his maternal family coming from Calabria, Italy. His family settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later in Georgia.

What is the significance of pels in Charles Tuminello's family?

Pels are a family tradition, particularly during the holidays. They are considered one of the oldest cookies in the world and are a beloved part of Charles' Italian heritage.

What are the key ingredients needed to make pels?

The key ingredients for pels are flour, baking powder, eggs, butter, and either anis or vanilla flavoring.

Why does Charles prefer vanilla over anis in the pels recipe?

Charles prefers vanilla because it has a more widely accepted flavor compared to anis, which some people find too reminiscent of black licorice.

What is the role of butter in making pels?

Butter helps keep the pels from sticking to the pel iron, ensuring they cook properly and come out crisp and beautiful.

How is the batter used in the pel iron to create pels?

A round teaspoon of batter, about the size of a walnut, is placed on the pel iron, which is then clamped shut for 35 seconds to cook the pels. The result is a thin, crispy cookie with a decorative snowflake pattern.

What is the unique feature of the pel iron that makes pels distinctive?

The pel iron has a snowflake-shaped pattern that gives the pels their distinctive, beautiful appearance, similar to a very thin, crispy waffle.

Can pels be served in different ways?

Yes, pels can be served flat, or they can be rolled into a cone shape while still hot and then filled with ricotta, powdered sugar, and chocolate chips to make cannoli-style treats.

What makes pels a special holiday treat in Italian-American families?

Pels are an integral part of holiday celebrations in Italian-American families. Their simple yet delicious recipe and the tradition of making them during the holidays give them a nostalgic and cultural significance.

How does Charles describe the process of making pels?

Charles describes making pels as a straightforward process involving mixing simple ingredients and cooking the batter in a pel iron for 35 seconds. The key is the timing and careful handling of the delicate cookies.