Tuckahoe Seniors Debut Cookbook for a Good Cause

Tuckahoe, N.Y. Oct. 30, 2023 - October is Italian American Heritage Month, a time to honor the achievements of Italian immigrants, including cultural contributions. The Italian American residents of The Fountains at RiverVue, a Watermark Retirement Community based in Tuckahoe, have determined there is no better way to share and celebrate their own cultures than through classic Italian dishes. These residents recently contributed their own recipes – perfected over generations – for a cookbook titled “Nonna’s Secret Recipes.”

The residents revealed the cookbook at a launch party on Oct. 25, which also happens to be World Pasta Day. They dined on homemade pasta and sold and signed copies of the cookbook, with all proceeds benefiting Watermark for Kids, a Watermark Retirement Communities nonprofit started by President David Barnes. The organization aims to support and empower underserved kids to express their character, leadership, creativity, compassion and spirit – to express their true selves and thrive.

“We have so many residents who take great pride in their Italian heritage and share their traditions with their neighbors and our associates,” said Community Life Director Reghan Giannelli. “We thought it would be fun to have them share some of their favorite Italian recipes in a community cookbook to ensure the secrets to perfecting these dishes continue to get passed on to others.”

Resident Helen Criscione submitted her chicken marsala recipe, a dish she said was requested at every family reunion and always met with rave reviews. She said her recipe came together with a little experimentation. “It’s a family recipe, but as a mother of four, I sometimes couldn’t make it to the market and started customizing with what I had in the pantry.”

To purchase “Nonna’s Secret Recipes”, contact Reghan Giannelli at RGiannelli@watermarkcommunities.com.