October Italian Wine Dinner

Meet your host for October - Mary Curtis from Foggia, Italy! Her course will be her family Manicotti!To look at me, one would question if I am Italian. No, actually I am an Irish girl who was adopted at 7 days old into a very large Italian family. My grandmother (Nonna) immigrated to this country from Viesta, Italy in 1919. She arrived as a widow with two little girls in tow. My aunt who was 4 and my mother who was 2. They settled in Portland, Maine and then moved to Lewiston, Maine. Nonna did what she had to do to survive during the depression. She caught pigeons, picked dandelion greens out of the fields, picked mushrooms off trees, and even made wine for sale in the basement. Food was never wasted. Inexpensive meals were the norm….pasta and anything she could find. Pasta and lentils, pasta and chick peas, broccoli and macaroni, pasta and potatoes, escarole and beans… you get the picture. These were the meals my mother grew up with and what landed on my plate as I was growing up. Funny but I hated these meals then but now they are a piece of heaven for me. My daughter now serves them to her growing family. Tonights entree is not peasant food. Baked manicotti was a special occasion food. My parents (my mother) loved to entertain and it wouldn’t be unusual for her to host a dinner party for 30 at our house. My mother and my aunt would make an assembly line and make the manicotti along with meatballs and braciole. Simple ingredients but labor intensive. I have very fond memories of those parties. I have passed on this tradition to my daughter and we will often tag team like my mother and aunt would do and make a whole bunch for our freezers. Frozen manicotti is often my Christmas gift to my brother in Florida. I hope you enjoy it!Register for Oct 28th wine dinnerWhat is a Bella Cucina Wine Dinner?Our Italian Wine Dinner Series – A Culinary Journey Through ItalyWe are continuing with the tradition - we had a sold out dinner for every Summer event, now we are launching our FALL SERIES!In our exclusive Italian Wine Dinner Series, you are invited to savor the flavors, stories, and wines of four iconic regions. Each dinner will showcase a different corner of Italy, thoughtfully paired with regional wines and a curated multi‑course menu.Each dinner includes a curated four‑course menu, expertly paired wines, and—what truly sets our series apart—full glasses with each course and a special appearance by a local Italian Nonna. At every dinner, she’ll share one of her cherished family recipes along with the heartfelt story behind it. It’s an experience that blends culture, cuisine, and connection in a way you won’t find anywhere else.Your Passport to Italy Includes:· 4 unique dinners, each celebrating a distinct Italian region· Expert wine pairings with 4 specific courses - selected to highlight local varietals (full glass per course, not just a taste!)· A culinary experience designed to transport you across Italy without leaving your seat· Exclusive discounts on all featured wines Hosted by a local Italian Nonna sharing a family recipe and tradition!