Lucinda Scala Quinn’s new book, “Mother Sauce” highlights Italian American family recipes and the women who created them, offering a tribute to the culinary contributions of immigrant women. The book delves into the history of Italian American cooking, focusing on the stories of women who immigrated to the United States and used their kitchens as creative power centers.

Scala Quinn, herself an Italian American, draws from her own family’s history and recipes, as well as those of other families across North America, to celebrate these women’s legacy. “The Italian American story in food doesn’t always bring the nonas and the mamas to the forefront,” Scala Quinn explained. “They had incredible odds to go up against, and the kitchen was their real creative power center.”