October is Italian Heritage Month ...a time to reflect upon our Italian heritage and culture and to remember those many great Italian and Sicilian immigrants who have made such an important contribution to the American way of life.
Every day when I drive to our Lawrence Ma. store.... past the factory buildings that served as sweat shops to Sicilian immigrants decades ago .... I think of the sacrifices that thousands and thousands of our descendants made in order to make a better life for them and their families.
This month is the time to remember that sacrifice. Today Italian Americans help make America what it is ... and the list of those from our cultural background is both long and great.

Musical great such as: Al Martino, Perry Como, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Connie Francis, Fabian Forte, Jimmy Durante, Louis Prima, Frankie Avalon, Liberace, Liza Minnelli, Dean Martin, Guy Lombardo, Henry Mancini, Frankie Valle, Bobby Rydell, are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of musical contributions to our society ... tens of thousands more singers, songwriters, musicians all have contributed over the years to help make America's music heard all around the world.
Movie greats such as: Anne Bancroft, Frank,Capra, Ernest Borgnine, Ben Gazzara, Sal Mineo, Nicholas Cage, Stephen Segal, Tony Danza, Danny Di Vitto, John Travolta, Penny Marshall, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Pesci, Robert DiNiro, Dom DeLuise, Brian DiPalma, Annette Funicello, Talia Shire, Al Pacino, Francis Ford Capolla, barely scratch the surface of Italian - Americans that have contributed to the film industry ... literally thousands more screenwriters producers, directors, helped make Hollywood famous ... the Oscars from the above list alone would sink the Titanic!

Great sport figures such as: Rocky Marciano, Vince Lombardi, Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Joe Paterno, Charles Atlas, Phil Esposito, Tommy Lasorda, Mary Lou Retton, Gene Sarasen, Phil Rizzuto, Gino Cappelletti, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Yogi Berra, Joe Bellino, Rocky Graziano, Willie Mosconi, Eddie Arcaro, plus thousands more have put Italian-Americans at the pinnacle of every major sport over the decades Great statesmen such as Fillipo Mazzei, who inspired Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence, William Paca a signer of the Declaration of Independence or Giamoco Beltrami, the discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River, or Constantino Brumidi, the designer of the Capitol Dome in Washington, or A. P. Gianni, founder of the Bank of America. The world's largest bank, or John Basilone the first enlisted man to win the Medal of Honor in World War II or Enrico Fermi, the father of nuclear science in America , and others...like Mario Cuomo, Fiorello LaGuardia, Lee Iacocca, Joseph Alioto, Peter Rodino, Melvin Belli, Antonin Scalia, Geraldine Ferraro, plus thousands more at the local, state and Federal level who have contributed mightly to our Nation's development.

The point is, (and believe me there are thousands of additional names that I could list here), we should be especially proud of our heritage this month, and we should remember those who have sacrificed their lives in our Nation's service from the days of the Revolutionary War to the present war in Iraq. Italians (and Sicilians too ... they comprise the largest percentage of American-Italians ... twelve million of America's thirty million Italian -Americans are of Sicilian extraction) have played ...and will continue to play...a vital role in our Nation's development now and in the future.

This is the month that I think of my grandfathers Alfio Zappala and Gaetano Torrisi...both who left Sicily seeking a better life for their family...and I thank them for their bravery in deciding to become strangers in a strange land.... Each of us should reflect on our loved ones this month...and never forget them...or our cultural heritage....
I'm so very proud to be Italian!
Ciao, Al

In a large pot over med-high heat combine the oil, onions, shallots and garlic. Cook until translucent (approx 5 minutes) Add all of the meat, once the meat is fully cooked, add all of the tomato product including the sun dried tomatoes. Bring to a hard simmer then turn heat to low and let simmer for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Add dried herbs and simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Season to taste and serve.

Al Faro Piazza Santa Via V. Emanuele, 205 - Portopalo DI C.P.
tel. 0931/842772
If you want to eat fish that is so fresh that it still flops on your plate,then this restaurant is for you! Porto Paolo is a renowned fishing village on the south sea of Sicily, not far from Pacchino. I have visited this restaurant 7 times and each time have gone away one happy camper. They have legendary grilled prawns.Their calamari is food of the Gods.Their large variety of white fish and clam dishes drawn Sicilians far and wide. I have told people time and again ... Al Faro flat out is the best fish restaurant in all of Sicily!

October is October Fest month in Sicily, where many towns have local fairs every weekend to celebrate the Island's bounty!
I recommend you zip to Zafferana Etnea on the slopes of Etna, any weekend this month with lots of free tastings or go to Nicolosi where the famous Mushroom Festival takes place every weekend. Bronte has the Pistachio Festival every weekend and sidewalk vendors sell hot roasted chestnuts (YUMMY!) everywhere...Plus , you can enjoy figs the size of your fist...Delicious!