Say the word “Italian” and the word “food” almost always immediately comes to mind. The Italians know how to cook and they know how to eat. This isn’t news to author Andrew Cotto, whose new novel, Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure follows an American who travels to Italy and falls in love with just about everything there, including, of course, the inspired, beyond delicious food. Here, the author shares an essay about when and why he first traveled to Italy, a trip that inspired much of his writing, including his latest book.

Both of my parents are from Italian immigrants who settled in and around New York City in the early 20^th century. I grew up, generations removed, in that old-world ethos, but the only part that really resonated with me was the food. I loved Sunday lunches that lasted all day ; the seven-fishes on Christmas Eve; the lamb feasts on Easter; Italian ices on summer sidewalks; platters of cream-filled pastries; homemade wine (cut with 7-Up for the kids). There was faith in the fact that food mattered.