Saturday Story
I’m from Cagliari, Sardegna — a small city on the island of Sardinia that surprises many people who don’t know it well. Growing up there shaped how I cook, how I eat, and how I think about home.
On this beach I learned time-honored cooking techniques, flavor pairings, and the deep love of la cucina Italiana. I spent hours sunbathing while listening to the Nonne plan their weekly meals — often with lively debates about cooking styles and which fruit vendor sold the best produce. Recipes were passed down by voice more than by pen; sometimes I still hear those conversations when I cook. The ingredients were always simple, local, and seasonal. Nothing fancy — there’s no need when you’re feeding large families at the beach.
The meals at Santa Margherita fed more than my body; they nourished my soul. They taught me to respect ingredients and to understand what it truly means to mangiare (eat) with intention and joy.
I still haven’t settled on a single place I call home. Maybe that’s a lifelong dilemma for me — an Italian-French woman living in Bountiful, Utah, raised by an Italian mother and a Danish father. In my twenties I searched for one definitive sense of “home.” In my thirties I’ve learned to embrace all parts of myself and to find home wherever I make it.
Do you have a place like this? I’d love to hear about it. Share your memories in the comments, send a DM, or email me.
Since I won’t be returning to Italy this summer, I’m missing it daily. All July, I’ll be sharing little stories and recipes from Santa Margherita and Cagliari every Saturday—snapshots of the food, the people, and the moments that stay with you.
Please share or repost this with anyone who would enjoy joining our story and recipe journey at MamaMiaMangia.com.
With love, Elena.
