Crocefissa’s Clams a la Papa Joe, a dish selected from last year’s Nonnas dinners at Tonno Gloucester.Tonno Restaurant
Calling all Nonnas!
Anthony Caturano, chef and owner of Prezza in the North End and two Tonno restaurants, in Wakefield and Gloucester, is on a mission: He’s hunting for your grandmother’s greatest hits — the homestyle Italian or Mediterranean dish permanently seared into your memory. The one that no restaurant ever quite gets right. One that embodies the spirit of the home cook and that tastes like Sunday at Nonna’s house and comes with family stories.
The idea was sparked by the Netflix film “Nonnas,” inspired by the true story of a Staten Island restaurateur who honored his late mother by opening an Italian spot staffed by grandmothers — real-deal nonnas. Now in its second year, Caturano has created The NONNA dinner series, a five-course Sunday dinner at each of his restaurants, built around the recipes he selects.
There’s an application on prezza.com/nonna (deadline: March 1). Submit an appetizer, salad, pasta, entrée, or dessert recipe — along with the story behind it. The dishes chosen will each earn a spot as one of the five courses. As Caturano writes in the application, “We’re creating a dinner inspired by the love and tradition passed down through generations.” So, if your family’s lasagna, braciole, potato gnocchi, or pasta e fagioli deserves recognition, Caturano wants to hear about it.
Attend a Sunday Nonna dinner featuring these recipes by purchasing tickets ($100) at each of the restaurant’s Resy page: March 15 at Tonna Wakefield, 175 North Ave., Wakefield; March 22 at Prezza in the North End, 24 Fleet St., Boston; March 29 at Tonna Gloucester, 2 Main St., Gloucester.
Ann Trieger Kurland can be reached at anntrieger@gmail.com.
Dining and Cooking