Most Americans, Jewish or not, likely don’t associate Jewish cuisine with Italy. This is the land of pasta, pesto, sauce, and cheese. The image that comes to mind is the polar opposite of the Ashkenazi Jewish fare that Americans generally think of when it comes to Jewish food.

Of course, the diverse tapestry that is Jewish food stretches well beyond the borders of Eastern Europe and the select Israeli dishes that have catapulted to the forefront of food Instagram, like shakshuka and sabich. More American Ashkenazi Jews are becoming familiar with the wonderful world of Sephardic and Mizrahi cuisine.