Everyday Culinary Heroes

Mamma Lea

NAME: Lea Pallotta

CITY: Colledara

REGION: Abruzzo

SPECIALTY: I love to make timballo—similar to lasagne, but with small meatballs and skinnier pasta layers called crespelle. I also love cooking rabbit, but only if we raise our own.

KITCHEN HERO: My daughter. She’s my inspiration.

FAVORITE FOOD MEMORY: My surprise fifty-year wedding anniversary. We spent the entire weekend cooking with our closest friends.

REGIONAL STYLE: It’s complex, very elaborate, and pretty heavy, but it’s good like that because here in Abruzzo it gets really cold.

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Martina Albertazzi