The Italian American Podcast
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IAP 433 The Women of Bari Vecchia: Keeping the Orecchiette Tradition Alive
• 50 minIn this episode of the Italian American Podcast, hosts Pat, Rosella, and Marianna welcome guests Nonna Nunzia Caputo, and Alessia to the Red Sauce Studio in New York City for a conversation about the beloved tradition of handmade orecchiette and life in Bari Vecchia. Nonna Nunzia recalls learning to make pasta as a young girl under the watchful eye of her grandmother, when orecchiette was not simply a regional specialty but part of the rhythm of everyday family life and, for many, a means of survival. The conversation traces the remarkable transformation of Bari Vecchia from a poor and sometimes rough neighborhood into an international destination celebrated for its food, culture, and distinctive street life. Nunzia and Alessia reflect on how tourism and social media have brought worldwide attention to the women making pasta along its narrow streets, while also discussing the importance of preserving the authenticity of a tradition passed down from one generation to the next. The episode concludes with Nonna Nunzia demonstrating the art of making authentic orecchiette by hand, sharing the techniques and instinctive feel for the dough that come from a lifetime of experience. Through stories of family, hardship, hospitality, and change, the conversation celebrates the women of Bari Vecchia and a culinary tradition that continues to connect generations across Italy and the Italian diaspora. NONNA NUNZIA SOCIALS: Instagram: @leorecchiettedinunzia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nunzialapastaia/ TikTok: @nunzialapastaia Youtube: @NunziaLaPastaia HOSTED BY: Patrick O'Boyle Rosella Rago Marianna Gatto SPECIAL GUEST: Nonna Nunzia PRODUCED BY: Nicholas Calvello-Macchia
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