Seven Italian grandmothers prepare typical dishes on weekends and holidays at Casa Nostra, a cultural space in New Immigrant Salein the mountainous region of Espírito Santo. The project celebrates the roots of immigrants through cuisine, music, and a guided tour of the history of Italian immigration in the state.
The experience takes place in a historic mansion and includes tastings of traditional recipes, such as cornmeal polenta, artisanal sausage, and pasta with fresh sauces. All ingredients are produced by the "nonnos" themselves. (the correct spelling is nonni).
The meetings are led by a guide and a teacher, who share the stories of Italian families who arrived in the region. The visit costs R$90 per person and can be booked on Instagram. @casanostrapindobas.
Culture at the table
Among the project's participants is Arildo Altoé, 66, a resident of Vargem Alta. "Every dish served holds a memory of family and childhood," says his grandfather, who joined Casa Nostra in September 2024.
Also participating are the “nonnas” Luzia Lopes, Inês Carnielli Andrião, Adriana Falchetto, Maria das Graças Delazare, Bernadete Dal-bó Venturim and Regina Célia Casagrande.
For Luzia Lopes, the concept goes beyond gastronomy. "Casa Nostra isn't just about food, it's about memory, unity, and pride in our roots."
The project began as a pilot during RuralturES 2023, conceived by Sebrae-ES with support from the Venda Nova do Imigrante City Hall and the Montanhas Capixabas Convention & Visitors Bureau. Due to its success, it gained a permanent headquarters and a regular schedule.
Tradition in two generations
Music also plays a central role in the experience. Singer and accordion player Maria Eduarda Casagrande Delpupo performs during the gatherings. She is the daughter of Grandma Regina Célia, who tends the stove next door.
"It's exciting to see my mother in the kitchen while I sing. We're combining two different ways of keeping our roots alive," says Maria Eduarda.
Regina sees in her daughter's performance a continuation of the immigrants' work. "Tradition doesn't stand still in time. The music mixes with the smell of food and becomes memory."
The strength of polenta
At 72, Maria das Graças Delazare is the oldest of the "nonnos." A guardian of ancient recipes, she is a standout for her preparation of polenta, one of the dishes most appreciated by visitors.
"When I see people praising and repeating polenta, I feel like I'm doing the right thing. It's as if each spoonful is a way of keeping the memory of our ancestors alive," he says.
She learned to cook as a child, watching her mother cook at the wood-burning stove. Today, she passes this knowledge on to new generations with the same care.
* With information from Online Tribune. Photos: Tribuna Online
