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Welcome to Ericademane.com
I am a chef, food writer, and herb lover who specializes in improvisational Italian cooking. I am the author of The Flavors of Southern Italy and Pasta Improvvisata, as well as Williams-Sonoma Pasta, which is available at Williams-Sonoma stores. A member of the Association of Culinary Professionals, The New York Women's Culinary Alliance, The New York Culinary Historians, The Herb Society of America, and the Italian-based International Slow Food Movement, I live in New York City.
For more about me, see About Erica De Mane.
Buy a copy of The Flavors of Southern Italy.
Buy a copy of Pasta Improvvisata.
Buy a copy of Williams-Sonoma Pasta.Buy a copy of my ebook, Pasta Improv
Erica De Mane 
Hi Erica,
Is this the recipe for Castelfranco in Miscano meatballs with
string beans and potatoes that was listed on Google?
My father’s family was from there. Any recipes you
have from Castelfranco in Miscano would be very
appreciated.
Is the Festival of the Crowned in Castelfranco the
festival of the Virgin Mary or Saint Lucy? and what other saints do they venerate there?
Many Thanks,
Michael Verrilli, DO
Dear Michael,
I’ve got lots of Verrillis in my family. My father’s cousins were all Verrillis, all from various parts of Westchester and Connecticut. My original last name was Di Menna.
Yes, that should be the same meatball recipe. It’s also in my book ‘Flavors of Southern Italy’. I learned it from my grandmother. Both my father’s parents were from Castelfranco. Her maiden name was Inglese. Strangely there aren’t many other specific dishes that she passed on to me. Most are kind of generic cucina povera and typical of that region, which is on the boarder of Puglia and Campania.
I’m not sure about the Saint. I think it’s the feast of the Virgin. I didn’t take the photo. I got it from a Castelfranco site on facebook. There are several. You should take a look. They’re great fun. Lot’s of photos and comments, both in Italian and ENglish.
Thanks for your note.
CIao,
Erica