15 Comments
May 31, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia, Tommaso Galli

I must find a copy of this cookbook!

Finding margin notes in books is like finding a message in a bottle - a rare thrill! I am also a lover of secondhand clothes, and I love bringing home an item and discovering it has been mended. I imagine the hands busy at work in a quiet moment in the evening, maybe in front of a warm fire, repairing something valued enough to fix. To my mind, its value only increases with the repair.

Your posts are so lively and warm.

I look forward to making Gnocchi alla Romana - I have never tried!

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your message is so heartwarming: I have never bought secondhand clothes, I find it hard to find my size, but you motivated to search for them.

I hope you had the chance to make Gnocchi alla Romana!

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May 31, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia, Tommaso Galli

Thanks for this look into the life and career of Ada Boni. I’m lucky to have inherited my mom’s copy, which was given to her when she married my father. In addition to all the recipes, it has beautiful colored illustrations. I treasure it.

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what a precious book it must be! you need to treasure it. I'd love to see those beautiful colored illustrations!

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Jun 1, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Love the photograph & portrait of Ada! Is she stirring sugar from the open silver sugar bowl in her fine porcelain cup? A sugar cube perhaps!?

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yes, it seems so!

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Fascinating post on Ada Boni - thanks so much, Giulia! I've just recommended 'Talismano' on Shepherd.com as one of five important cookbooks published at moments of change.

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oh this is so interesting, I'll have a look at your recommendations

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Also, chiming in with more because how genius that she crowd sourced funding for her first book--500 confirmed buyers before beginning! I’m inspired. I’ve never crowd-funded a book or project (timid, I guess) but this makes me feel I might be a little bolder moving forward.

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I know, right? she managed to get 500 confirmed buyers before beginning, and this was one century ago! we can definitely be inspired by her approach to business, too!

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I loved reading about Ada Boni!! So much so that I sat down on my porch steps and read it on my tiny screen rather than wait to get to the computer. She’s the kind of cook and writer I’ve always been drawn to, from an era I most certainly never want to lose touch with, (despite the many good things about modernity and change for women). I’ve long collected old copies of little known American books with this same tone and context, but now will be hunting for my own Talisman of Happiness 🤍

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I pictured you there, on your porch steps, reading from your tiny screen! I'd be curious to read more about those books, because this is the kind of books I keep coming back for recipes and inspiration.

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May 31, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

This is a superb introduction to a food writer I haven't previously followed...many thanks for contributing your knowledge and sharing this information about Ada Boni... Despite most of the recipes being decidedly non-vegan, I remain fascinated by traditional recipes - and I love dedicating time toward 'veganizing' whatever seems possible - sometimes it works, and sometimes it clearly doesn't. By the way, I'm also one of those who constantly write notes in the cookbooks I own - maybe someone in the distant future will discover them. 😆

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I love writing notes on books, too! I hope one day my daughter will appreciate them! :D

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May 31, 2023Liked by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Amo il tuo sentimentalismo. Molto bene!

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