The Italian Radio Hour

12/17/2025

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: Redefining Italian Identity: A Conversation with Anthony Julian Tamburri

Today I have the privilege of welcoming one of the most influential voices in Italian American studies: Anthony Julian Tamburri.
A scholar, educator, administrator, and cultural advocate, Anthony has dedicated decades of work to elevating Italian and Italian American literature, cinema, language, and identity on the national and international stage.
He is Distinguished Professor and Dean of the John D Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College, CUNY—an institution that has grown tremendously under his leadership. His scholarship spans more than 20 books, numerous edited volumes, and hundreds of essays on subjects ranging from semiotics to cinema, diaspora identity, and language politics. Anthony is also known for his work as a public intellectual—producing interviews, public programs, and cultural conversations that bridge academia and the broader Italian American community.
Today we’ll explore his latest book, "Gli Americani Italiani: cultura e società", a fascinating work—written entirely in Italian—that pushes us to rethink what we mean by “Italian identity” in today’s global, multilingual, and multicultural context. And of course, knowing Anthony, you can expect not only deep insights but also wonderful stories, vivid memories, and reflections on the past, present, and future of our community.
LINK IN THE FIRST COMMENT

12/11/2025

UNESCO has inscribed Italian cuisine into its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing it as a cultural tradition that extends beyond food and recipes, encompassing heritage, craftsmanship, and community identity.

La cucina italiana entra ufficialmente nella Lista rappresentativa del Patrimonio Culturale Immateriale dell'Unesco

12/09/2025

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: The Quest to Save the World's Rarest Pasta & Ancient Traditions of Sardinia

Welcome to a special edition of The Italian Radio Hour, presented in collaboration with Istituto Mondo Italiano in celebration of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World.
This year, we invite you to travel with us beyond the well-trodden tourist paths and into the heart of ancient Italian food traditions—those flavors, stories, and techniques that many first-time visitors to Italy might never encounter, yet are among the most precious treasures of our culinary heritage.
Today, we bring you to the extraordinary island of Sardinia, a land of rugged beauty, deep silence, age-old rituals, and a cuisine that is as tied to its landscapes as it is to its people.
In the first half of the episode, we welcome Luca Floris, a young artisan and explorer who is dedicated to preserving one of the rarest pastas in the world: Su Filindeu — “the threads of God.” Only a handful of people on Earth know how to make it, and I was fortunate enough to spend three days learning this extraordinary craft with him. Luca’s journey intertwines tradition, adventure, Sardinian identity, and a deep personal philosophy beautifully expressed in his book Sa Sebaba Mea, dalla tradizione alle Mucadores.
In the second half, we continue our exploration of Sardinia with Alessandra Guigone, author of the newly published Enogastronomic Encyclopedia of Sardinia, a monumental work that captures the island’s flavors, stories, rituals, landscapes, and cultural soul.
So sit back, relax, and let us guide you into a world of ancient pasta, unforgettable landscapes, and Sardinia’s culinary wisdom.

LINK TO THE INTERVIEW IN THE FIRST COMMENT.

12/02/2025

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: PUGLIA, a culinary journey through the land, the ingredients, and the people with Flavia Giordano.
We are traveling to Italy’s sun-drenched heel — la Puglia! — a land of whitewashed villages, olive groves, colorful markets, and centuries-old culinary traditions.
Joining me is Flavia Giordano, tour guide, food educator, founder of Spaghetti ABC, and author of PUGLIA – A cooking journey through a land and its unique ingredients. In her book, Flavia takes us beyond recipes, revealing the story of ingredients, the rhythms of the land, and the rituals that shape Pugliese cuisine.

11/24/2025

SUNDAY: Nov. 30th from 1:00-3:30pm
County Fairgrounds

The Wedding Cookie Table will set up the record for the World’s Largest Wedding Cookie Table Cookie Exchange.

Please stop by Team Befana table and say “hi” to La Befana and my fellow team bakers.
It will be a great time and will get you in the Christmas spirit.

Admission is just $5 per person. You can vote on the best decorated team cookie table (we hope you chose ours! :) )and will have a chance to purchase some delicious cookies. USA Pans will be present and you can purchase bakeware at greatly discounted prices.

It will be a festive couple hours and you will go home with some truly fantastic baked goods from our fabulous bakers.

Hope to see you on 11/30/25.
Please SHARE.

11/21/2025

Today on The Italian Radio Hour: Vegana Italiana: Traditional Italian the Plant-Based Way with Tara Punzone.

Today, we step into a truly innovative corner of the culinary world—one where tradition meets transformation. Our guest is Tara Punzone, acclaimed chef, owner of the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant in the United States Pura Vita, and author of the vibrant cookbook Vegana Italiana.

Born and raised in a lively Italian family in Brooklyn, Tara grew up surrounded by the aromas, rituals, and deep cultural meaning of Italian cuisine. When she embraced a vegan lifestyle, she didn’t abandon those traditions—she reinvented them. With creativity, bold flavors, and respect for her heritage, Tara has crafted a culinary path that proves you can honor your roots while living in alignment with your values.
Today we’ll explore her journey, her philosophy, and
practical strategies for anyone curious about plant-forward cooking—from stocking a vegan Italian pantry to reimagining iconic dishes like carbonara, meatballs, and cannoli without sacrificing taste, texture, or nostalgia.
“Part love letter to Italy, part encyclopedia of plant-based technique, Vegana Italiana is a joyous celebration of food, family, and heart.
Link to the episode in the first comment.

11/15/2025

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: Veniero, an Italian Tradition since 1894
Today, we have a very special episode where history, family, and the sweet traditions of Italian pastry come together. I am joined by Zerilli, whose family founded the iconic Veniero’s Pasticceria in New York — a beloved institution for over a century. Alongside him is Germana Valentini, an award-winning Italian journalist and author, who has chronicled Italian-American life and the story of Veniero’s in her work.
Together, they will take us on a journey through generations of Italian heritage, the art of pastry-making, and how one family business became a cultural landmark. Whether you’re a fan of cannoli, sfogliatelle, pignolata or curious about immigrant stories, or just love a good tale of tradition and perseverance, this episode is for you.”

11/12/2025

You are invited! Scan the code to register for the Jolliest Italian Holiday Party in town.
Saturday Dec. 13th at 6pm at Istituto Mondo Italiano - Centro di cultura italiana.
Vi aspettiamo!

11/03/2025

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: ABRUZZESE is a language, not a dialect 🇮🇹✨

What if you could finally say that what your grandparents from Abruzzo spoke wasn’t a dialect, but a language? How did the Abruzzese language develop, and what makes it unique?

In this episode, I chat with Prof. Roberta D'Alessandro, Chair of Linguistics, Syntax and Language Variation, and Head of the Linguistics Division at Utrecht University. Originally from Abruzzo, she has devoted much of her research to studying what she calls the Abruzzese language — not a dialect.

We explore:

The development and characteristics of Abruzzese

The linguistic and cultural differences between a dialect and a language

Why this distinction matters for heritage, identity, and preservation

If you’re curious about the language your ancestors spoke or love Italian linguistic traditions, this episode is for you! 💛

We’d love to hear your stories and expressions — share what you grew up with! 🗣️📖

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - What if finally you could say that what your grandparents from Abruzzo spoke was not a dialect but a language?How did t...

11/03/2025

🛍️ITALIAN HOLIDAY MARKET
📅 Open Nov. 28 – Dec. 23rd

Discover authentic Italian gifts, artisanal products, and gourmet treats — perfect for everyone on your list.

Soft Opening: “Sip & Shop”
Friday, November 28th, 5-8pm
(Pre-register & receive $5 OFF Coupon)

Regular Market Hours:

🕙 Mon–Thu: 10am–3pm
🕕 Fri–Sat: 10am–6pm
🕒 Sun: 10am–3pm

🎁 Gift certificates are available;
📦 You can also shop online. We ship across the continental U.S.

www.istitutomondoitaliano.org
Your gateway to EVERYTHING Italian! 🇮🇹