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Mangia! Mangia!
Jobs were scarce and Angelo Giovanni Falcetta found it difficult to provide for his wife and three young children. Like so many men, my grandfather left his home in Castelvetrano, Sicily to better himself in the United States. In Italy, he worked as an artisan carpenter, where he hand carved ornate tables, chairs and headboards. In Chicago, he was able to find work only as a dye setter, employed by the Imperial Steel Cab Company. Months turned into years as Grandma Providenza and her children anxiously waited to join the head of their household. Finally, after six years of saving, Grandpa Giovanni was able to send to Sicily for his family. On Sept. 26, 1913, Grandmother Providenza, with children Giovanni, age nine, Francesca, age eight, and Maria, age six, were about to enter this country through the gates at Ellis Island. When asked by the immigration officer if she had any items on her person she had not declared, Grandma honestly answered "yes."
Finally, red faced, Grandma confessed she had "personal items" with her and was uncomfortable telling a man about them. Remember this was 1913 and women did not talk about these things. How he must have chuckled as he stamped their papers and allowed them to go on to meet Grandpa in Chicago. The Falcetta Family settled in an Italian neighborhood at Polk and Morgan Streets, known as the Cabrini Green District. An order of Italian Catholic nuns headed by Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini unselfishly served the great wave of immigrants. As a child, Maria was scrawny and chronically anemic. My mother often told of the compassionate sisters who took pity on her and fed her bowls of pasta with lentils to make her healthy. My grandparent's family grew and in 1914 Laurence, 1916 Frank and 1917 Laura were added. Grandpa Giovanni made no secret his favorite was the oldest, Francesca. The spoiled daughter was spared the difficult tasks of the household while Maria's job was to look after her younger siblings. In the sixth grade, Mom fell so seriously ill that the doctor was called to the house. She was diagnosed with scarlet fever and diphtheria and given a shot. As was the practice of the day, the doctor, was about to quarantine their house. My grandfather said the quarantine sigh was a disgrace and pleaded with him not to do so. Condescending, the doctor left Maria to get well. A few days later when my grandfather's sister Maria visited, she found Mom delirious with fever. "Giovanni," the story was often told, "can't you see she is sick? Call the doctor!" "I can't," Grandpa answered. "It will get the doctor in trouble because the house is supposed to be quarantined." "If you don't do something now, she will die," said Zia Maria. "I will call my own doctor." "Go ahead," said Grandpa, and the second doctor was summoned. Not knowing of the first doctor's visit, he too gave my mother a shot for the scarlet fever and diphtheria. This doctor quarantined the house and left the 11 year old to recover. Slowly, her physical health was restored, but she resumed her life with permanently weakened ankle and hand muscles. Emotionally, my mother never recovered from the trauma. She carried the emotional scars throughout the rest of her life. Abandonment, rejection and physical limitations were young Maria's beginnings. But just like a fairy tale, this story too has a happy ending. Maria met her Prince Charming in the person of Matteo Chiarenza. "My life began when I married your father," Mom often said. Together they brought Antoinette Teresa and John Anthony into this world and lived happily ever after - or fairly close to it. Had you met my mother as a mature woman, her brilliant smile, her dancing eyes and her love for God, her family and for life itself would first impact you. But were you to look deep into her eyes, you might see a flickering of the sad beginnings that left their footprints on her soul. Now you too know how they got there. Pasta with lentils
NOTE: A member of the legume family with an ancient history, lentils are rich in B vitamins, a good source of iron and contain respectable amounts of calcium and vitamin A. Mom added onion soup mix to make the flavors more hearty and richer. Look through lentils for foreign material and imperfect seeds. Wash thoroughly. Add lentils and salt to water and bring water to a boil. In the meantime, lightly brown onion in divided olive oil and set aside. Brown garlic and set aside. When lentils and water have come to a boil, add onions, garlic and soup mix. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add chopped spinach and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Add pasta to lentils and mix thoroughly. Serve with Parmesan cheese. Makes four each 2 cup servings. |
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