A while back, I wrote a post about Gravy vs Sauce. For those of you not familiar with the GREAT DEBATE, many Italian Americans call their ragu or meat sauce – “Gravy.” In my family we don’t refer to it as Gravy but in many Italian American families they swear by the term.
In my last post on the topic, my theory was that it might be a regional term – New York/New Jersey… although I still believe it’s more prevalent in that area, after received several comments and emails from Italian Americans in that area who do not use the term and others from outside that area who do, I had to rethink my position.
My new theory is that it may be a generational term. I’m first generation Italian American (my parents came to the US in 1970 after they took that wonderful wedding photo (see below.) My parent’s didn’t speak English when they arrived here… so “Gravy” wasn’t even a real word not to mention something that would describe my mother’s cooking! It’s possible that over a few generations, as English and Italian words started to morph and the conversations became half English and half Italian (you know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t you??) that the term “Gravy” became a part of the Italian American culture for some.
Regardless of what you call it (brodo, sugo, salsa, marinara, gravy or sauce) cooking a Sunday dinner and smelling the wonderfulness that came out of the kitchen when the sauce or the gravy was being made stirs up wonderful memories for many Italians. Here’s a great video on youtube that Susan at “My life’s Joy” sent over to me a while back narrated by Robert Loggia. I wasn’t able to embed so you’ll need to click on the link to see it.
My favorite part is when Robert Loggia talks about Thanksgiving as an Italian. Turkey’s far from the main course…. so true isn’t it? For the record: Robert Loggia is second generation and calls it “Gravy”
So if you could leave a comment with what generation Italian you are (if you are) and if you call it Gravy or Sauce, maybe we can get down to the bottom of it!
Hope you all have a wonderful Italian Thanksgiving.