In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, hosts Pat and Brandon sit down with Peter Francis Battaglia—self-described “Italian American Encyclopedia” and creator of the Food Obsession blog—for a nostalgic look at Italian American life in Staten Island during the late 1960s and ’70s. He recalls the rhythm of traditional Sundays—church, cemetery visits, and large family meals marked by pastries and anizette coffee—capturing a culture grounded in closeness, continuity, and food.

Battaglia also reflects on raising two adopted Chinese daughters, sharing how his family honors both their birth heritage and Italian traditions. The conversation highlights the richness of a multicultural household, where memory and shared meals help bridge identities across generations. A highlight of the episode comes when Battaglia introduces his family’s ciambellini recipe, prompting discussion on how traditions evolve over time.

His view is simple: culture is not preserved in place, but lived and carried forward. Listeners are invited to explore his Food Obsession blog and social media for more.

 

HIS SOCIALS:

Instagram: @afoodobsession

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stories/111249000792462/?source=EMBED_PAGE&ref=embed_page

HIS WEBSITE: https://afoodobsessionblog.wordpress.com/

 

HOSTED BY:

Patrick O’Boyle

Brandon Ficara

 

SPECIAL GUEST:

Peter Francis Battaglia

 

PRODUCED BY:

Nicholas Calvello-Macchia