Reviving the Tradition of Handmade Pasta in Italy

The Heart of Italian Tradition: Handmade Pasta

Growing up in the picturesque countryside of Italy during the vibrant 1990s, Chiara Leone fondly recalls her Sundays spent in her grandmother’s warm embrace. The air would be infused with the tantalizing aroma of ragu, while big sheets of meticulously crafted handmade pasta would hang out on cotton sheets in the bedroom, soaking up the essence of family heritage. “Handmade pasta is the essence of a Sunday family lunch,” Ms. Leone reminisces. “Today, many people prefer dining out at restaurants instead.”

Determined to revive this cherished tradition, Ms. Leone and her childhood friend Chiara Nicolanti, both 37 years old, have enlisted the help of nine grandmothers from their quaint town of Palombara Sabina. Together, they founded NonnaLive, a unique initiative where these grandmothers impart their culinary wisdom, teaching visitors the nearly lost art of crafting pasta by hand. The classes are held up to five times a day, seven days a week, ensuring that the legacy of handmade pasta continues to thrive.

“I have three wonderful grandchildren,” shares Angela De Paolis, affectionately known as Lalla, a 68-year-old grandmother who is deeply passionate about this culinary craft. “One of my greatest joys is to avoid letting them get lost in front of the TV or video games. Instead, I invite them to join me in making pasta. Tears of joy fill my eyes when I watch my grandchildren create pasta, as it brings back the cherished memories of my own grandmother teaching me the same.”

The inception of NonnaLive traces back seven years when Ms. Nicolanti found herself expecting a child. Spending quality time with her grandmother, Nerina, who often prepared pasta with love, sparked an idea. One day, inspired and nostalgic, Ms. Nicolanti snapped a photo of her grandmother in action and shared it on Facebook, cheekily asking, “Hey, who wants to cook with Grandma today?” This simple question ignited a movement that has since captivated many.

As the classes unfold, participants experience the hands-on joy of pasta-making, such as preparing farfalle, which is later tossed with a delectable sauce of olive oil, almonds, and crushed garlic. It’s not merely a cooking lesson; it’s a heartfelt journey into the rich tapestry of Italian culture.

With each class, NonnaLive not only preserves a fading tradition but also fosters connections across generations, ensuring that the art of handmade pasta remains a cherished ritual for years to come.