This is a very personal podcast. I share why I wrote it, why the Sicilian immigrants came to New Orleans, and how hard it is for me to write recipes. I hope that those of you who knew immigrant ancestors can see our connection in this book. The struggle to find a new identity in a new land, the attachment and comfort that familiar food affords, and the need to pass down to descendants who grow up in a different land the values and love of your homeland. And when huge numbers of immigrants move to one place at the same time, the influence on that place’s culture is immense. Fortunately the food culture of New Orleans - also the music culture, but that is another book - was absorbent and flexible enough to allow the Sicilian culture and food to co-exist with Creole cuisine. This benefitted all of us. Let me hear from you about your story or your favorite books about your ancestors. It’s on Tip on the Tongue. Get full access to Tip of the Tongue at tipofthetongue.substack.com/subscribe