Explore every episode of the podcast I Wish I Were A Prosciutto

I Wish I Were a Prosciutto is a Signal Award winning podcast celebrating Italian-American food and the traditions, stories, and recipes behind this extraordinary cuisine. Sandra and Martin couldn't make it to the studio due to January's huge snowstorm, so they "MacGyvered" an episode through Zoom. They talk about making comfort foods for when you are snowed in. Sandra shares her recipe for split pea soup. Martin shares his method for roasting red peppers. Then they played a parlor game Martin calls "Bene/Male."

#italianamericanfood #italianfood #splitpeasoup #roastedredpeppers #BigNight #ProducePete #calamare

The Signal Award Winning I Wish I Were a Prosciutto returns with more stories about Italian and Italian American food, Nona recipes, family traditions, Italian American culture and Italian American lifestyle. Sandra Radosh and Martin Blanco reflect on their respective holidays, then Martin serves a distinctive pasta dish highlighted by ricotta salata cheese. In the main section, Anthony Angrisani speaks about working in his family's shop, Calandra's Cheese, formerly of the famous Italian American enclave Arthur Avenue. Anthony's description of the cheese is so poetic, that you're certain to walk away hungry and sparkling.

#ArthurAvenue #ArthurCantinaWineandLiquor #ricottasalata #italianamericanheritage #cheese #arugual #maryannesposito #cataniapizza #calandracheese #bronx #italianenclaves #italianfood #italianamericanfood

Sandra and Martin speak with Angela Burdo of Wave Hill Breads in Norwalk, Connecticut. Angela has had an extraordinary life journey beginning in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She moved to Rome and lived most of her adult life there. She had a family, ran a pizzeria, coffee bar, and bakery. Seeking economic opportunity, she returned to Connecticut and works at Wave Hill Breads in Norwalk.

#wavehillbreads #norwalkct #fairfieldcounty #connecticut #italianbread #espresso

In this episode of the Signal Award-winning I Wish I Were a Prosciutto, Sandra speaks about her visit to the Neapolitan presepio (creche) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Martin makes a mess with his grandmother's pizzelle iron. He does manage to prepare and serve delicious Saint Lucy Buns and a delicious plate of pasta alici (pasta with anchovies). In the main section, they speak with Martin's mom, Barbara Hawes. They talk about La Vigile - The Feast - The Feast of the 7 Fishes - Christmas Eve. Even though his family never used the appellation "Feast of the 7 Fishes," Martin and Barbara firmly count 7 distinct types of seafood served on Christmas Eve.

#Christmaseve #lavigile #feastofthesevenfishes #santalucia #saintlucybuns #metropolitanmuseumofart #presepio #creche #saintnicholas #pastaalici #anchovies #krispele #stocco #baccala #delmontetomatosauce #beaconpodcasting #signalawards #departmentofchildandfamilynorwalkct #norwalkct #anisetteliqueur #fernetbranca #tombola #christmasinnewyork #italianchristmastradition #italianamericanpodcast #oranges #fruitbowl #presepe

Sandra and Martin sample the top part of the prosciutto haunch compliments of Teitel Brothers, as well as a delicious French Onion Bread from Addeo Brothers Bakery, both legacy shops from Arthur Avenue. In the main section, they speak with Joseph Tarzia who moved to Stamford Connecticut from Italy when he was a boy. Joseph was an Italian language teacher in the Stamford School District, but his mastery of the language and love of the culture, brought him many fascinating life experiences, most notably with Armand Hammer and Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, former Secretary of State of the Vatican.

#stamfordconnecticut #italy #italianlanguage #italianculture #italianfood #prosciutto #teitelbrothers #addeobrothersbakery #miketeitel #arthuravenue #arthurcantinawineandliquor #anthonyangrisani #armandhammer #cardinalagostinocasaroli #vatican #jackierobinson

Sandra and Martin talk about winning a Bronze Signal Award for their episode with Lidia Bastianich. They also talk about the Signal Awards Party at Public Works in Brooklyn, and their late supper at Black Oak on Fifth. In the main section, they speak with Lisa Cupido Fogarty and her father Dario Cupido. These New Yorkers talk about the lovely town of Ortona in Italy and the special Ortonese way of making pizelles, called nevole.

#signalawards #lidiabastianich #pizzelle #nevole #ortona #italy #pizzelleiron #piazzaorientale #stthomastheapsotle #lisacupidofogarty #dariocupido #blackoakonfifth #publicrecords #brooklyn #queens #ciombotta #prosciutto#gloriadelarosa #jemmabrown

Sandra and Martin celebrate their 2nd anniversary with a recap of all the exciting events of the year including: a radio show on WGCH 1490AM, You Tube appearances, conversations with Mary Ann Esposito and Teddy Coluca, and a Signal Awards Bronze prize for their episode with Lidia Bastianich.

#SignalAwards #SignalAwards2025Winner #MaryAnnEsposito #LidiaBastianich #TeddyColuca #OnlyMurdersintheBuilding #Galloniprosciutto #prosciutto #italianamericanmuseum #kimsayid #MicheleScicolone #eatcapers.com #a&jsavittieri #mikesdeli #arthurcantina #prosciutto #beaconpodcasting #parkcityproductions

Sandra and Martin sample scrumptious gelato from one of the finest gelaterias, in Connecticut, Oggi Gelato. After they enjoy generous helpings of pistachio and stracciatella, they speak with Oggi Gelato co-owner Maurizio Ricci.

Warning: listening to this episode without gelato is hazardous to your health.

#oggigelato #gelato #pistacchio #stracciatella #brontepistacho #brontesicily #norwalk #fairfield #romanacci #osteriaromana

It's Book Club Day! Sandra and Martin reflect on the PBS American Masters special about the Mother of Italian food in America, Marcella Hazan. Then they explore 2 books by Marcella, The Classic Italian Cook Book and Marcella's Italian Kitchen. Then Martin serves a plate of pasta with Marcella's famous tomato sauce. Come celebrate Italian Heritage Month with Marcella, Sandra and Martin.

#MarcellaHazan #ItalianHeritageMonth, #ItalianFood #ItalianAmericanFood #pbs #ItalianRecipes #ItalianCookBooks #FamousWomenChefs #FamousItalianAmericanWomen

We are pleased and proud to announce that we are finalists for a Signal Award in the Individual Episode - Best Guest category. The episode is with Lidia Bastianich from early November 2024. We enjoy a dynamic conversation with Lydia about her PBS special Lidia Celebrates America: Gamechangers, how she met Julia Child, how she raised her children while running her businesses, and how much she loves her grandchildren. In addition to being a finalist in the Best Guest category, the episode is a finalist in the Listener's Choice Award in it's category. We urge our listerners to vote for this episode by October 9. In the meantime, enjoy a repost of our celebrated episode with Lidia.

#SignalAwards #PBS #LidiaBastianich #BeaconPodcasting #ParkCityProductions #4thAnnualSignalAwards #IWishIWereaProsciutto #ItalianHeritageMonth #italianfood

Sandra and Martin discuss the Macaroni Riots of 1914, which took place in Federal Hill, an Italian American enclave, in Providence Rhode Island. The catchy name belies the important issues that moved so many citizens to violence. In honor of the anniversary of the Macaroni Riots, Martin serves some delicious pasta piselli. Then they speak with Martin's mother about happy child memories in Rhode Island from the late 1940s.

#FederalHIll #AtwellsAvenue #ProvidenceRhodeIsland #RussellDeSimone #pastaandpeas

Only Murders in the Building is back, and Sandra and Martin have an engaging conversation with Teddy Coluca, the veteran character actor who portrays Lester the Doorman. They'll talk about Teddy's outstanding acting career, doing theatre in the Bronx, growing up in Brooklyn and New Jersey, and most importantly Italian American food. Sandra also asks Teddy to introduce her to Martin Short.

#TeddyColuca #OnlyMurdersinTheBuilding #TheBlackList #DanteAlbertie #MarcoGreco #StephenAdlyGuirgis #BeowulfBorrit #JenniferBarnhart #JoeDiPetro #ManhattanSpecial #RichardVetere #Mike'sDeli #ArthurAvenue #Galloni #ArthurAvenueRetailMarket #FullMoonPizza #CasaDellaMozzarella #BronxLittleItaly #prosciuttodiparma #prosciuttodisandaniele #Vitamia #stickball #selenagomez

Martin reports on his trip to San Diego. He briefly explores Little Italy where he learns about a true hero, John Basilone. In the main section, Sandra and Martin speak with Michele Scicolone, celebrated author of many cookbooks, countless magazine articles, and curator of Italian Food Culture. Among her many credits, she is created all the recipes for The Sopranos Family Cookbook as Compiled by Artie Bucco. And finally, Martin serves a recipe from Michele's book Italian Holiday Cooking, an Easter Monday Frittata. Easter in the summer, why not?

Michele Scicolone, Charles Scicolone, The Sopranos, Eataly, Di Palo's, John Basilone, San Diego, Coronado Island, Brigantine Seafood, Prosciutto, Italian Food, Italian American Food,

Sandra and Martin speak with Mary Ann Esposito, one of the most celebrated television cooks and a valued conservator of Italian and Italian American culinary traditions. She'll share stories, talk about how she came to be an expert on Italian cuisine, her extraordinary vegetable garden, the joys of Italian food and home cooking, and even her favorite style of prosciutto,Mary Ann Esposito is the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series, Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito and the author of 14 cookbooks including her most recent, Ciao Italia: Plant. Harvest. Cook!

Prosciutto, Italian Food, Italian American Food, Italian American Culture, Italian American Museum, Dr. Joseph Scelsa, Mulberry Street, New York City, PBS, Prosciutto di San Daniele, Montilo's Baking Company, Brockton Massachusetts, Cape Cod Massachusetts, Tomie DePaola, Jingle The Christmas Clown, Donna Chiara's Stelline D'oro

Sandra and Martin reflect on their recent visit to the Italian American Museum on Mulberry Street in New York, where they met the celebrated cook, Mary Ann Esposito, host of the PBS classic Ciao Italia. The main section is all about prosciutto di parma and they sample the finest: Galloni Riserva. Afterwards they have an engaging conversation about the Galloni prosciutto with Kim Sayid. Kim is an Italian food expert and has worked with Fratelli Galloni for many years. Grab some prosciutto, a good bottle of wine, a mozzarella, a little drizzle of olive oil, sit back, relax and enjoy.

#kimsayid #italianamericanmuseum #galloniusa #prosciuttodiparma #sicilianmarionettes #mikesdeli #arthuravenue #ciaoitalia #maryannesposito #citarella's

Sandra takes her brother and sister-in-law on a series of Bronx adventures that began on Arthur Avenue and ended in a tire shop on the Southern Boulevard. Martin and Sandra eat a variety of treats from Wave Hill Bakery in Norwalk. In the main section, they speak with Steve Solomon, a college friend of Martin's. Steve is an outstanding bread baker and pizza maker.

Italian Food, Italian American Food, Mike's Deli, Arthur Cantina Wine and Liquor, The Bronx Zoo, Prosciutto, Eat Prosciutto, Italian American Pride,

Sandra and Martin discuss the new Netflix film Nonnas. They also explore 3 distinctive books: a novel, The Italian Party, 101 Beautiful Towns in Italy - Shops and Crafts, and Made in Italy. These books bring them to the medieval town of Volterra famous for its alabaster workshops and home to a distinctive style of pizza. This leads them to Citarella, a high end grocery store in Greenwich, Connecticut that makes a delicious pizza in the Volterran style.

Eat prosciutto! Read books! Eat pizza!

#prosciutto #nonnas #netflix #italianamericanfood #Volterra #citarella #theitalianparty #pizza #bignight #italianamericanpride #italianamericanculture

Sandra and Martin indulge in a cornucopia of Italian snacks from Brookfield and Norwalk in Connecticut's Fairfield County. They wash them down with a nice bottle of Chianti. Then, Anthony Angrisani of Arthur Cantina Wine and Liquor gives them a primer on this quintessential Italian wine.

On the menu: rice balls, prosciutto balls, barley balls, potato croquettes, mozzarella caroza, grilled artichoke, Roman style sourdough bread, pizza, gelato and gubana del foro.

The food comes from AS Fine Foods and Catering, Wave Hill Breads, Oggi Gelato, La Piazza, and Romanacci

#arancini #riceballs #arancinibrothers #gubanadelforo #oggigelato #italianfood #italianamericanfood #brookfield #norwalk #connecticut #arthurcatinawineandliquor #lapiazza #wavehillbreads #asfinefoodsandcatering

Sandra and Martin talk about how Kennett Square, Pennsylvania became the mushroom capital of America. In the spirit of mushrooms, Martin serves a mushroom risotto, and mushrooms and sausage. In the main section, they speak with Martin's mom who recalls an extraordinary trip to Italy in 1958. Her journey begins innocently enough with a can of mushrooms from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania which ultimately brings her to the funeral of Pope Pius XII.

#Prosciutto #KennettSquare #Mushrooms #PopePiusXII #Vaticano #Ortona #saintthomasapostle #papalfuneral #CalabriaPorkStore #Angelina's #italiansausage #Vatican #Genoa #StThomas #Italianfood #ItalianAmericanfood #ItalianAmericanStories #ItalianCulture

Sandra reminisces about the Easters of her youth in Chicago. Martin speaks with some of his cousins and his brother about Easter with Grandma and Nonno. In the main section, they enjoy Easter Bread, Pizza Dolce and Pizza Grana.

#MadoniaBakery #MorronePastryShop #Decicco&sons #pizzadolce #pizzagrano #Easterbread #pupacavallo #kolackiy #houska #ryebread #Vesecky'sbakery #pizzarustica #arthuravenue

Martin finally makes his first pizza rustica. Then Martin serves a Pesto Pantesco, a savory recipe from the Sicilian Island of Pantelleria. In the main section, Sandra and Martin speak with John Savittieri, a former bespoke furniture maker who created a distinctive importing business A&J Savittieri. The company imports salts, herbs, spices, and most importantly, the delectable capers of Pantelleria. Don't listen to this episode on an empty stomach.

eatcapers.com

#capers, #sicily, #eatcapers.com #Pantelleria #seasalt, #rosemary, #oregano, #pestopantesco #italianfood #italianamerican #pizzarustica #johnsavittieri

Sandra and Martin enjoy an Italian picnic featuring Prosciutto Balls, Pizza Rustica, and Golfetta from AS Fine Foods & Catering of Monroe, CT and pizza and ricotta pie from Jennie's Pizzeria also of Monroe.

In the main section, they speak with Martin's Aunt Rossana about Easter traditions from Ortona, Italy. Then she teaches them a number of delightful idiomatic phrases from Ortona.

Il Gioia, Easter, Holy Thursday, Pizza Dolce, Buconotti

Sandra and Martin discuss the savory food from The Feast of Sant Joseph. Martin serves a holiday dish, Il Pasta di San Giuseppe. In the main section they speak with Lou Mezza of Del Prete Italian Pastry in Bridgeport, Connecticut and then they eat some of his delicious Zeppole di San Giuseppe. It's coming up on, I Wish I Were a Prosciutto.

#ArthurCantinaWineandLiquor #StJosephDay #zeppoledisangiuseppe #Delpreteitalianpastry

Sandra and Martin briefly discuss their trip to the Tre Bicchieri wine show, and begin Lent with conversations about the delicious Easter pie, Pizza Rustica. In the main section, they speak with Martin's mom about the traditions of Lent and the Easter season, and his family's approach to pizza rustica.

#pizzarustica #lent #trebicchieri #gamberosso #arthurcantinawineandliquor #hotcrossbus #A&P #smerladinawater

Sandra and Martin have been traveling. Sandra discusses her trip to Palm Springs, and Martin discusses his trip to Washington DC. In the main section, Martin talks about the Ace Endico Spring Showcase. There will be Prosciutto di San Daniele, and a delicious Italian spaghetti.

#PalmSprings #WashingtonDC #iRichhi #osteriamozza #Georgetown #polenta #centerbe #facciabrutto #golfetta ,#mutti #mancinipastificioagricolo

It's Valentines Day! Sandra and Martin discuss the Italian docudrama Luisa Spagnoli - Queen of Chocolate which chronicles the life of the celebrated founder of Perugina Chocolates, the creator of Baci candy, and the founder of Louisa Spagnoli fashion. In the main segment, they speak with Martin's Mom about his Nonno Tom's poetry, his Grandma Alba's raviolis, and the profound love between his maternal grandparents.

#Baci #Perugina #homemaderaviolis #poetry #ValentinesDay #Disneyvacation #KimPossible #DrPossible

Sandra and Martin talk about authentic Chicago thin-crust pizza including Vito and Nick's Pizzeria and Johnny's at La Grange Park. Then they sample thin-crust pizza Connecticut-style from Riko's. In the main section, they speak with Rico Imbrogno, the founder of the ever popular, ever growing Riko's Pizza. Rico talks about what inspired him to open Riko's, his commitment to quality, his love of community, and his plans for continued growth.

#Rikospizza #Chicagothincrust #pizza #JohnnysLaGrangePark #VitoandNick'spizzeria #italianfood #italianamericanfood #ConnecticutFood #Connecticutpizza

Sandra prepares a delicious beef osso buco for Martin. Then they welcome Paul Callaro, author of an anthology of compelling short stories Not Down on Any Map. Paul is also the youngest son of Danny and Louise Callaro who owned the legendary Danny's Pork Store of the Belmont Italian enclave in the Bronx. #ossobuco #pork #porkstore #notdownonanymap #addeobakers #madoniabakery #antonchekhov #italiansausage #italianfamilytraditions #bronxhistory #arthuravenue #chekhovshortstories

It's Book Club Day again! Sandra and Martin discuss Ismail Merchant's Florence - Feasting and Filming in Tuscany, The book comprises Ismail Merchant's notes on filming his beloved A Room With a View on location in Florence, his food experiences in Tuscany, 70 recipes from the region and photographs as sumptuous as the food. Martin also serves Pasta Con Piselli, one of the recipes from the book. Sandra and Martin also review their respective holidays and their visit to Il Gioia in New Haven, Connecticut. #ARoomWithaView #MerchantIvory #Florence #Tuscany #IlGioia #pizzelle #lavigile

Sandra and Martin discuss Christmas Eve Italian style - La Vigile. They'll each reflect on their memories of the holiday from their youth. Then they'll speak with Martin's cousin Alba about her recollections and her role as one of the cooks that keep the family feast alive today.

Sandra and Martin discuss the Feast of Saint Lucy - Santa Lucia. In the main section they speak with Martin’s mom about a special Saint Lucy celebration with his daughter and grandmother. Then everyone enjoys Martin’s traditional Saint Lucy buns.

If you enjoyed Pixar's Ratatouille, then you're bound to love ciambotta. Sandra and Martin discuss this delectable Italian comfort food with a little help from Giulia Scarpaleggia's Cucina Povera and Martin's mom.

Sandra and Martin celebrate the completion of the first year of I Wish I Were a Prosciutto. They reflect on the year, play some highlights, and eat mounds of prosciutto di parma, burrata and salami. Thank you to all of our guests including Lidia Bastianich, David Greco, Mike Teitel, Anthony Angrisani, and Mom ( Martin's mom, Barbara Hawes). Good food! Good people! Lots of laughs!

Sandra and Martin speak with the Godmother of Italian American cuisine, Lidia Bastianich, about her upcoming PBS special Lidia Celebrates America: Changemakers, raising a family, cooking good food, traveling with her grandchildren, her favorite style of prosciutto, and her new Washington, DC restaurant Osteria Mozza DC.

Sandra and Martin reflect on their busy October - Italian American Heritage month. In the main section, they have a conversation with Sandra's brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Polly Radosh, about the joys and challenges of gardening. Among their many crops, Jeff and Polly grow the best garlic this side of the Mississippi and have been supplying Sandra and Martin all summer and fall.

Sandra and Martin reflect upon the Italian enclave in Philadelphia and some of her famous food specialties. In the main section, they speak with Martin's friend Francine Wheeler who grew up in an Italian-American home just outside of Philly. Expect plenty of cheesesteaks, hoagies, peppers and eggs, and tomato pie.

Sandra and Martin recount their trip to the Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street in New York City. Then Martin discusses the cultural significance of the old St. Patrick's church. In the main segment, they conclude their interview with Vinny Marano, where they discuss commedia dell'arte, the film Scaramouche, and finally resolve the question of who discovered America (spoiler alert: it may have been Vinny's Aunt Maria. . .).

Sandra and Martin discuss and sample a distinctive brand of sparkling water from Sardinia called Smerladina, whose name harkens back to the Commedia dell"Arte, the great theatre of the Italian renaissance. In the main segment, they speak with a true renaissance man, Martin's friend Vincent Marano.

Sandra and Martin discuss and sample Detroit style pizza. Then they speak with Martin's mom about focaccia and making and enjoying home made pizza with Grandma Alba and Chad Scarborough.

Sandra and Martin talk about the summer watermelon fights of their youth, and then sample the best fruit of the season. Martin also serves up an old Italian summer treat: peaches in wine. In the main section, they speak with Emily March of March Farms in Bethlehem CT. Emily will tell them about growing peaches and cherries in CT, the joys and hardships of farming, and what it’s like to eat a ripe peach just picked from the tree.

Sandra and Martin sample authentic Italian fennel sausage and Irish bangers crafted by Steve Ford of Butcher's Best Country Market in Newtown Connecticut. In the main section, they speak with Steve about how he learned his trade, the philosophy behind his store, enjoying life's simple pleasures and taking care of one's community.

Sandra and Martin sample a variety of food and drink including Grandma Alba's 1 Egg Wonder Cake. Then they speak with Martin's mom about the authentic recipe of the cake - spoiler alert, it might require a different number of eggs then the title suggests.

It's Book Club Day again! In this episode, Sandra and Martin explore Slow Food Revolution A New Culture for Eating and Living by Carlo Petrini. When a McDonald's restaurant opened in Rome in 1986, a small group of incensed and passionate Italians crafted a manifesto and put it into action resulting in the "Slow Food" revolution. Nearly 40 years later, the movement remains vital and necessary. The conversation is enhanced with a surprise luncheon and a surprise excerpt from a beloved Italian classic.

In this episode, Sandra and Martin discuss the virtues of fresh pasta, and in the main segment, they speak with Martin's friend Susie Linn, who was at the vanguard of the fresh pasta movement in Albany, New York circa 1985 vis-a-vis a unique eatery called Pasta Express. Afterwards, Martin serves fresh pasta acquired through a vending machine from Westport's Il Pastaficio, topped off with the finest jar marinara sauce from Mike's Deli on Arthur Avenue.

In this episode, Sandra and Martin sample the beloved Italian comfort food, escarole and beans. Afterwards, they speak with Martin's mom about Grandma Alba's "Magic Pot." This episode is dedicated to the memory of Martin's Uncle Adrian, who passed away last week. Sometimes Uncle Adrian comes up specifically in a discussion (as he does in this one), and his spirit is always deeply embedded in the many traditions we celebrate. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Rest in peace.

In this episode, Martin tells Sandra about the Italian food experiences during his cross country road trip. These include an Olive Garden in Arkansas, Buona Forchetta in Coranado, Chris Bianco's Pizzeria in Phoenix, and the discovery of Hot Pepperoni Rolls in West Virginia. In the main segment, they speak with Walt Disney World Travel Podcast legend and world class foodie, Lou Mongello.

Earlier this year, Sandra and Martin attended the Gambero Rosso Tri Bicchieri tasting of premium Italian Wines. In this episode, they reflect on the excellent wines they sampled, the interesting people they met, and the delicious food they ate. They also revisit Centerba and the Centerba cocktail called "Negroni Professore." Remember, you can't drive until 1 hour after listening to this episode.

Sandra and Martin discuss memorable seafood experiences, some good and some not so good. Then they speak with Frank Randazzo of Randazzo's Seafood from Arthur Avenue. Finally, Martin serves shrimp risotto using Mama Randazzo's recipe.

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Everybody is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, except for St. Patrick who was a Roman citizen. Sandra and Martin celebrate two big March holidays, St. Patrick's Day and the Feast of Saint Joseph. They'll speak to Martin's mom who vividly paints a picture of these holidays as celebrated in New York City in the early 1950's. Finally, they'll enjoy the famous Zeppole di San Giuseppe!

Martin reads an Italian translation of the Dr. Seuss classic Green Eggs and Ham. Sandra and Martin also discuss a beautiful, illustrated edition of Elizabeth David's Italian Food, farm fresh garlic, and the beloved "rockumentary" This Is Spinal Tap.