About Italian-Americans
Grand Marshall

It is good to be Queen, or at least Grand Marshall, which according to Lisa, feels pretty much the same. This year Lisa was honored by the Sons of Italy, Great Lodge of Philadelphia, and invited to lead Philadelphia's Columbus Day Parade. It was a beautiful day, and Lisa loved walking along the streets of her beloved city and having a chance to meet and greet so many wonderful people. She even wrote a special piece about the experience for her Philadelphia Inquirer column, Chick Wit, check out her laugh-out-loud commentary on her big day.










Lisa Honored by Italian-American Organizations



The Italian Heritage and Cultural Committe of New York presented Lisa with the il Leone Di San Marco Award in recognition of the positive images of Italian-Americans she portrays and promotes through her books. As if receiving an award wasn't enough, Lisa also got to meet and hug (they are Italian, after all) Lisa's new crush and fellow award-winner, Dennis Farina, the star of "Law & Order," legendary movie producer Sonny Grosso, and Lorenzo Carcaterra, the New York Times bestselling author of Sleepers, and producer of "Law & Order."

Italian by Nature
A bubbling pot of tomato sauce. The evil eye, and a loving Italian mother who can cast off the "overlooks." A sprig of fresh basil, and a wooden spoon that doubles as a tool for discipline. Family. Food. Loyalty. Laughter. All of these familiar scenes from the Italian-American experience find their way into the novels of Lisa Scottoline, because she writes what she knows. Not that you have to be Italian to love Lisa's books. If you are, they will evoke childhood memories for you. If you're not, you will identify with your own ethnic heritage — because it's all about identity, no matter what that idenity is. It's yours.

Lisa Scottoline is an Italian-American and identifies strongly with her heritage (she is even taking Italian lessons). She draws from it to create her best-selling series of suspense novels, which feature an Italian-American lawyer named Benedetta Rosato, and her law firm, Rosato & Associates. Lisa's novels are populated with other successful, loveable, and intelligent Italian-American characters - and on every page she presents positive yet realistic images of her culture. For that reason, Lisa was recently nominated by the National Organization of Italian American Women for its annual award. As part of the entertainment industry, Lisa has — and uses — the power of the written word.

From Readers
The success of Lisa's books proves that people want to read about Italians who are heroes instead of gangsters. Lisa's novels connect with Italian-Americans heart-to-heart, and they are responding. For an example, take a look at what some of her readers are emailing Lisa about her Italian-American characters:
"I am an "EYEtalian" and gravy" is the brown stuff on meatloaf. Your books make me homesick for my grandmother's house in South Philly. I swear the Di Nunzio's were our neighbors-they have the same house! (ha!) Bennie is my favorite character because she may be my cousin. My maiden name is ROSATO, and like all South Philly Italians, I even have an Aunt Carmella!" J.R.K.

"I have read and enjoyed every one of your books, including the newest, Moment of Truth. My favorite character, of course, is Mary, because I identify with her Italian background (her parents are a cross between my parents and grandparents, and I grew up in a similar Italian neighborhood)." M.S.

"Mary's family is so much like my family as a child and young adult. My father could have been Mary's father, and I would guess you might have a father like that too. If you don't, your research, and writing ability might be taken lightly by anyone who hasn't had a proud, Italian father." D.

"What a charming book. I enjoyed it very much since both of my parents came from Italy. It brought back many memories of the way they spoke broken english to my brothers and sisters and me. This is first time I have read one of your books, and it won`t be the last" B.D.

"I just finished reading The Vendetta Defense and thought it was very good. I thought the ethnic flavor (without a lot of Mob stereotypes) was especially interesting. I'm not an attorney of Italian descent, but I enjoyed it very much. I'll be looking for your other work. Keep it up!" G.

"I especially love how you detail the Italian characters. I'm not Italian myself, but grew up with an Italian best friend and I thought about her and her family a lot." S.

"My parents were both Italian immigrants and I was brought up in a section of a city known as the "PATCH" — wall to wall Italians-your book brought back many delightful memories-Well Done." T.D.

An Open Secret About the Italian American Internment

When Lisa is short on book ideas, she need only turn back to her own family. Her upcoming book, Killer Smile, due out June 1, 2004, is one that has a true personal connection to Lisa. While looking through some of her father's things, Lisa discovered the very documents that you see pictured below. They are the actual alien registration cards that her grandparents had to apply for, and carry at all times, during World War II. Prior to stumbling across the cards, Lisa had no idea that Italian Americans were restricted and even interned during World War II, or that it directly affected her own family.

Lisa did tons of research on the topic, and thought that her readers may enjoy learning a bit more about the internment of Italian Americans during World War II, so she put together a quick overview. She also included the bibliography that she used for her research for those readers who prefer a more in depth discussion on the topic. To read a bit about the internment of Italian Americans click here.


From One Amica to Another
For Lisa, being Italian-American is much more than a nationality, it is a way of life. It influences so much of who she is, what she likes to eat, how she relates to others, and most of all what she writes. She embraces her heritage, and actively promotes it. She belongs to many of the national Italian-American organizations, enjoys speaking at Italian-American events, and even ran a contest on her website searching for the best Italian recipe. The winner was a wonderful version of a traditional Italian treat taken straight from a family recipe book. Click here for a copy of the recipe. To read a little bit about what Lisa has to say about being Italian-American, loving books, and making a really great tomato sauce, check out the interview below. If you would like to reproduce this interview for publication in an Italian-American publication, just click here to contact us.


Lisa On Being Italian-American, Loving Books, and Making a Really Great Tomato Sauce

Tell us about your books.
I think my books are suspense novels, but ones that center around themes of family and moral issues. I think my books resonate for Italian-Americans because they concern so many aspects of that experience. I want my fictional kitchens to smell like the ones I knew growing up - pungent with basil and oregano. I hope my characters convey the fierceness of an Italian mother's love, or the laughter in these households. To my knowledge, nobody in popular fiction today is writing about these things, except for Gay Talese, whose works I love. I wanted to discuss similar themes and experiences, but in my own context. I write fast-paced, funny and suspenseful novels centered around an all-female law firm. The books are set in Philadelphia and feature a myriad of Italian-American characters. My books are officially categorized as legal thrillers, but also have the elements of mystery and suspense novels. Ultimately, I write books that I hope will entertain the reader.

What prompted you to write about Italian-Americans?
I always believe that people should write what they know, at least that is what has worked for me over the years. I am an Italian-American woman lawyer, so that is what I used for my main characters. I wanted to see main characters named Rosato and DiNunzio - and have them be honest, hard-working professionals, not the mobsters so often portrayed. Both of my parents are Italian-American, and I am first generation born in this country. My extended family is in many ways the typical Italian family, which is wonderful. Likewise, the Italians in my books are full of charm and tradition, so they make for interesting, and sometimes quirky characters. The books tell stories about "the overlooks" and mothers who protect their daughters with wooden spoons. They are loving family types, with characteristics that Italian-Americans can relate to.

Where are your relatives from?
My mother's family is from Abruzzi and my father's is from Ascoli Di Piceno, in Marche. Both settled in Philly, my mother's family in South Philly and my father's in West Philly. In Philly, that makes me the product of a mixed marriage.

What is the one thing you loved the most about growing up in an Italian-American family?
Family. Fresh basil. Frank Sinatra. Easter palm stuck behind switch plates. Mass cards stuck behind switch plates. In fact, almost anything stuck behind switch plates.

The Sopranos has gotten both critical and public praise, yet it reinforces a negative image of Italian Americans. What are your thoughts on this?
I am actually a big Sopranos fan. I love the show for what it is intended to be, Hollywood entertainment. Having said that, I do think that Hollywood predominantly portrays Italians in the stereotypical Mob role. Every nationality has its dark side, and I don't think you can do anything to stop the entertainment industry from capitalizing on it. The way you counteract it, is by producing product that projects positive images of Italian-Americans, and then supporting those products. That's what the First Amendment is all about, and that's what Italian Americans are all about. Talk, talk and more talk. The answer to bad talk is good talk. Italian-Americans are the largest minority in America, and just based on the emails I have received from readers, they are not only interested in reading books with Italian-American heroes, they are searching for them. I hope that my books provide an entertaining positive look at life as an Italian-American.

Of all the books you have written, which is your favorite?
Each book holds a special place with me. Everywhere That Mary Went was my first, so of course I am partial to it. I won the Edgar Award, which is the top honor given to mystery books for Final Appeal, and each book after that has something about it that makes it unique and important. The book I most enjoyed writing was The Vendetta Defense. Part of the book is set in fascist Italy and I loved doing the research. The book was a mix of old world culture meeting the modern world, which I believe is a mirror image of today's Italian-American communities and households. In addition to the regular female protagonists, the book included a group of little old Italian men known as the "Tony's." Readers were really able to relate to these characters, and the mail poured in for them, especially the star of the book, an old Italian farmer named Pigeon Tony.

You say you write what you know, which character is most like you?
There is probably a little of me in all my characters, but Mary DiNunzio, the first character I wrote, is probably the most similar to me. She is a good lawyer, and a good person with strong convictions and a loving and supportive family, but she constantly doubts herself. Bennie Rosato, the owner of the law firm, has a lot of qualities that I admire. She is tough but fair, and never second guesses her decisions. Bennie is not afraid to take on the heavy hitters in order to protect the innocent. Of course she is tall and naturally blonde, which I completely envy! Judy Carrier is a bit of a free spirit, and does not worry about what others think.

Do you enjoy cooking? What is your favorite dish?
I love to cook, and I learned from the best, my mother. She has the greatest homemade ravioli recipe which she graciously allowed me to post on my website. I wish that I had more time to cook, and try new recipes, but my schedule, like most people, is pretty hectic. That is why I love making what I call "Tomato Sauce for People With Better Things To Do." Every Italian but me has a tomato sauce recipe that involves slow-cooking mysterious ingredients for about twelve hours. But I love Tomato Sauce For The Lazy, or if you prefer, For People With Better Things To Do. This recipe takes all of three minutes to make, which I know sounds unbelievable, but it isn't. It tastes awesome. Trust me.

Directions:
Put a couple of fresh, raw tomatoes into a Cuisinart
Add some olive oil
Sprinkle in salt and pepper
Puree like crazy
Serve cold on top of hot pasta
Put fresh basil on top so it looks classy
Eat while you read something terrific, then go out and live your life.
Yipeee!

Italian-American Organizations
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is the major advocate in Washington, DC for nearly 25 million Italian Americans, the nation's fifth largest ethnic group. The NIAF was founded in 1975 as a non-profit organization in Washington, DC. It is entirely non-partisan.

Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) the largest and longest-established Italian-American organization in the country (founded in 1905). Its purpose is to enrich Italian heritage nationwide through programs in education, cultural preservation, grass-roots initiatives, charitable fundraising, and by strengthening the ties between the U.S. and Italy.

Fieri is an international organization of students and young professionals dedicated to preserving the Italian American culture, providing networking opportunities for young professionals, and promoting a positive image of Italian Americans in the mass media.

The Justinian Society is an educational, non-profit organization of lawyers whose ancestry is Italian.

The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) founded in 1980, is the only national membership organization for women of Italian ancestry.


MAMMA MIA!
Lisa may have learned to write at UPenn, but she learned to cook from the amazing Muggy, her mom. She learned well, too. Both are fond of pasta and great at preparing it. Muggy is proud of Lisa's cooking and her writing. Perhaps more important than either, the grandmother is proud of what a great mother Lisa turned out to be. In just about every way you can imagine, Muggy is one of Lisa's greatest promoters. If you see Lisa's picture and book cover taped to the side of someone's car, you are probably in Muggy's neighborhood. If you dial the wrong number, and the person on the other end of the line asks you if you have read a Scottoline book, you've got Muggy on the phone. And if you were wondering where Lisa got her good looks, well, that was Muggy too.

Lisa's Inspiration
The kitchen was truly the heart of Lisa's home as a child, and not just because of the wonderful food that was always on the stove, but because it was where her mom, Muggy worked her motherly magic. With a warm smile, a big Italian hug, and of course, a delicious plate of homemade pasta and gravy, Muggy could make even the worst days a distant memory. So if you enjoy the many scenes in Lisa's books that take place in the DiNunzio's kitchen, you now know where Lisa got her inspiration. One of Muggy's many claims to fame, and one of Lisa's favorite dishes, is her incredible homemade ravioli. Lisa was able to persuade her mom to share her recipe, and even give away the secret ingredient!
The Recipe
And now for the recipe, straight from Muggy's kitchen.
Dough
Ingredients:
  1. One large bowl
  2. One small bowl
  3. Three cups of all purpose flour
  4. Two eggs
  5. One Tbs. Olive oil
  6. One-half cup of warm water
Directions:
  1. Stir eggs in small bowl
  2. Add a little (1/4 cup) of warm water to eggs and stir gently
  3. Add Tbs. Olive oil to egg/water mix
  4. Put flour in large bowl
  5. Make 'ditch' in flour
  6. Add dash of salt to flour
  7. Pour egg mix into center of flour where you made the ditch
  8. Blend everything and add water if needed
  9. Knead dough in bowl until it forms a smooth ball
  10. Cover mixture with lid and napkin so no light or air gets to dough
Filling
Ingredients:
  1. One medium sized bowl
  2. One small bowl
  3. Two eggs
  4. 16 oz. of chopped mozzarella
  5. Eight oz. of shredded white cheddar
  6. One-half lb. parmesan cheese freshly grated
  7. One lb. ricotta cheese
  8. One tsp. salt
  9. One tsp. onion powder
  10. One tsp. garlic powder
  11. One tsp. oregano
  12. One tsp. black pepper
  13. One tsp. basil
Directions:
  1. Put ricotta in medium bowl
  2. Beat eggs in small bowl and put them in center of ricotta
  3. Mix gently
  4. Add parmesan
  5. Add 8 oz. of mozzarella
  6. Add 4 oz. of cheddar
  7. Add tsp. Of salt, onion powder, garlic powder, basil and black pepper
  8. **SECRET INGREDIENT** add one tsp. Nutmeg!
  9. Mix
  10. Add more cheese if it feels very damp - should be moist, not wet if needed add other 8oz of mozzarella
  11. If you'd like to, add larger quantity of specified spices to taste
  12. Mix
  13. Refrigerate filling for half an hour
Pasta Making
Directions:
  1. Set up pasta machine on counter and set to desired width
  2. Sprinkle flour generously on working area
  3. Cut blob of dough on table in half
  4. Take half and flatten with your hands
  5. Continue adding flour to prevent sticking
  6. Roll flat
  7. Roll over rolling pin: wrapping dough around pin
  8. Stretch gently on bar to increase width
  9. Try to make flattened dough in square shape
  10. Cut it into 2" wide strips- do not pull apart
  11. cut down center - halving the strips
  12. feed strips gently through machine - don't hesitate
  13. cut now longer and flatter strips into 2"x 4" (approx.) squares
  14. repeat steps four through 13 to other half of dough
Ravioli Construction
Directions:
  1. With a teaspoon, get a small scoop of filling and place it in the center of your pasta square.
  2. Fold half of square over the filling making a pocket
  3. Take a fork and firmly press the prongs of the fork around the outside of the ravioli. This seals the ravioli so it doesn't come apart when you cook it. * check the underside of the ravioli to see if you can see the lines through from where you pressed. If you can, you pressed hard enough, otherwise press harder.
  4. Repeat these steps for every square. (If you're not ready to cook them, remember ravioli are great even after they've been frozen! But you must handle your precious babies carefully and be sure to put saran wrap covered with flour in between each layer of ravioli.)
Cooking
Directions:
  1. Fill large pot with water leaving 5" at top
  2. Boil
  3. When water has reached boil, add tsp. Salt and a Tbs. Olive oil
  4. Lower flame to medium heat
  5. Cook only five or six ravioli at a time
  6. DO NOT COVER POT
  7. Stir gently (they are fragile!)- use only plastic utensils for stirring
  8. Boil ravioli for 10 min. or 15 min. if they were frozen
Cover with your favorite tomato sauce and serve!