Cooking and Canning with Mamma D'Amato

I am a second generation Italian, and as noted by another reviewer, recipes are rarely written down, so the value of this book cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, I obtained this book because I was excited about the canning recipes. The title notes "cooking and canning" with equal emphasis, and while technically there are canning recipes provided, the section is very small and the author only shares a couple of her own recipes -- specifically -- canning tomatoes and sauce. Those two recipes could have revealed some significant secrets, but she keeps her sauce simple -- tomatoes, sauce and basil -- canning tomatoes -- tomatoes and salt. Her canning instructions are no longer considered safe and the rest of the section has recipes and instructions contributed by others. Those recipes, by and large are not for Italian dishes. I tried one canning recipe and experienced something that, in all my years of canning, has never happened -- the result was absolutely inedible. I had to open every jar and throw the contents away because the the combination of flavors was horrible. What a waste. So, if you want the book for the basic recipes, definitely buy it, but if like me, your main interest was the canning section of the book -- look elsewhere.

The receipes in this book are wonderful. I've made most of them and everyone of them was a hit in my family. Easy, uncomplicated, and delicious with just a few ingredients. Some of them I had when I was a child. Yes, this review is from a second generation Italian. My folks didn't write a receipe down ever !! Thank you Mrs. D'Amato for writing them all down. With much apprecation.....Mrs. Janet Rubinetti Parslow

I found traditional recipesfor the novice to the mostexperienced cook...recipesfrom my childhood that I neversaw in a cookbook and thoughtmy family created them!The ingredients are few, readily available and the steps easy to follow. Withthis simple small but completeitalian cookbook you couldraise a family!

I greatly enjoyed these recipes and am wondering if this could be the same Mamma D'Amato at whose house I had the privilege of eating several wonderful Italian meals back in the middle 1950's. I was invited by her son, Moose D'Amato, who worked with me driving a Semke Bus on the Hempstead , Long Island , NY line? Is there anyway of finding out? I'd really love to know!