L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano prising hay soup, skis down snowy peaks to join in the traditional "Dirndl Day" cele- bration and fly-fishes in an icy river. Once again, food becomes the thread that ties together the region's history, identity, and even past con- flicts. Abruzzo proves to be one of the season's most unex- pected discoveries for Tucci. He had never visited this r u g g e d a n d m o u n t a i n o u s region before and is deeply m o v e d b y i t s b e a u t y a n d character. In one of the sea- son's best episodes, he grills mountain lamb in high pas- tures, joins a Sunday lunch with French culinary influ- e n c e s , a n d u n c o v e r s t h e sweet and surprising origin of Sulmona's famous confetti ( s u g a r - c o a t e d a l m o n d s ) . Beyond the cuisine, Tucci is struck by the resilience and strong sense of community o f t h e p e o p l e w h o h a v e adapted to this challenging landscape while holding fast cowboys, and attends the iconic Palio di Siena. The journey continues to Lombardy, one of Italy's m o s t d y n a m i c r e g i o n s , known for its ability to inno- v a t e w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g a s t r o n g c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e land. Here, Tucci explores the more contemporary side of Italian cuisine, tasting dishes made on a futuristic farm and meeting chefs who experiment with new tech- nologies and cutting-edge ingredients. It's an episode that highlights the pioneer- ing spirit of the region, one t h a t l o o k s b o l d l y t o t h e future without forgetting its past. In Trentino-Alto Adige, the episode takes on a nearly documentary tone, exploring complex themes such as the region's dual cultural and l i n g u i s t i c i d e n t i t y . H e r e , where both Italian and Ger- m a n a r e s p o k e n , f o o d becomes a bridge between two worlds. Tucci tries a sur- to their traditions. The journey concludes in Lazio, but not in the well- t r o d d e n t o u r i s t a r e a s o f Rome. Tucci ventures into the lesser-known countryside of the region, exploring the deep connections between the Eternal City and its rural heart. He meets local pro- ducers and samples tradi- tional dishes like Roman- style pizza, porchetta from Ariccia, rustic fish soup, and lamb – all simple yet flavor- ful dishes that show Lazio's culinary soul and the quality of its ingredients. "My family placed a lot of importance on food, that's really where it all began," Tucci explains. "I grew up in an Italian-Ameri- can household, but then I lived in Florence as a kid, and that made me curious about Italian culture from a young age. Ever since, it's always felt like home to me. The more I travel through Italy, the more the people and flavors remind me of my childhood." Far from being a simple food show, Tucci in Italy is a sensory and visual narrative, enriched by elegant direction and stunning cinematogra- phy. The visuals perfectly capture Italy's breathtaking landscapes – from the gold- en wheat fields of Maremma t o t h e s n o w - c o v e r e d Dolomites – while Tucci's warm narration and dry wit give the series depth, charm, and authenticity. "Italian cui- sine is a universe of infinite nuances," Tucci concludes. "It's not just about the dish- es, it's about history, culture, a n d i d e n t i t y . I t a l i a n s a r e incredibly particular about their recipes, and rightly so. E v e r y i n g r e d i e n t , e v e r y m e t h o d , e v e r y f l a v o r h a s meaning. And I think that in a world that's changing so quickly, food can be a way to reconnect with ourselves." With Tucci in Italy, Stan- ley Tucci once again invites us to sit at the table with him, not just to enjoy food, but to enjoy the stories and emotions that come with it. It's a journey that pays trib- ute to Italy while inviting us to rediscover it with fresh eyes through taste, memory, and heart. journey of personal rediscov- ery, a pilgrimage into his roots and heritage. The new season promises to continue t h a t s a m e e m o t i o n a l a n d heartfelt approach, with an even greater focus on the relationship between people and food. In Tucci in Italy, Tucci immerses himself in local culture, meeting farm- ers, fishermen, chefs, arti- sans, and everyday people; t h r o u g h t h e i r s t o r i e s , h e guides us into a real, often o v e r l o o k e d I t a l y , w h e r e every recipe has a tale and every ingredient a meaning. One of the most personal moments of the season takes place in Tuscany, a region that holds a special place in Tucci's heart, as the actor lived in Florence as a teenag- er, a time that left a deep cul- tural imprint on him. In this episode, he takes part in an unexpected breakfast –sure to surprise viewers – goes horseback riding with tradi- t i o n a l b u t t e r i , T u s c a n y ' s A f t e r t h e g r e a t s u c c e s s o f t h e first season of S t a n l e y T u c c i : Searching for Italy, the American actor and director is back to explore Italy with t h e s e c o n d s e a s o n o f h i s series, now titled Tucci in Italy. The show will air on National Geographic starting May 19 and will premiere in Italy the same day with all episodes available exclusive- ly on Disney+. This new culi- nary adventure promises to be even more intimate, emo- tional, and surprising than t h e f i r s t . I n t h i s s e a s o n , Stanley Tucci embarks on a g a s t r o n o m i c j o u r n e y through five Italian regions: Tuscany, Lombardy, Trenti- no-Alto Adige, Abruzzo, and Lazio. Each episode is dedicated to one region, each with its own unique culinary identity made up of local ingredients, time-honored techniques, and stories deeply connected with culture and people. It's an Italy told not only through food but through its most authentic soul, full of pas- sion, pride, and tradition. In t h e f i r s t s e a s o n , T u c c i e x p l o r e d t h e c u i s i n e o f regions like Puglia, Sardinia, Liguria, and Calabria, offer- ing a personal and affection- ate view of Italy's gastronom- i c h e r i t a g e . T h e e p i s o d e dedicated to Calabria had a special meaning for the actor – it's the homeland of his grandparents. Tucci's father is originally from Marzi, a small town in the province of Cosenza, while his mother's roots are in Cittanova, in the province of Reggio Calabria. "I wanted to know the region my family left behind," Tucci shared, visibly moved during his journey through South- ern Italy. Despite the strong influence of Calabrian cui- sine in his family, ranging from aged salumi to spicy chili peppers and the famous Tropea red onions, Tucci had only visited Calabria once as a child. T h a t r e t u r n w a s a t r u e Stanley Tucci in Lazio (Photo: National Geographic/Matt Holyoak) Stanley Tucci embarks on a journey through flavors, stories and Italian traditions SILVIA NITTOLI LIFE PEOPLE REVIEWS ADVICE

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