Grazia Barletta: The Saints’ Cook Outside her Kitchen
(Left) Cooking with the Saints columns for the Southern Cross magazine. (Right) Grazia Barletta at the launch of two of her books, “Moments With Molly and Friends” and “Moments That Have Captured My Heart”.
Since it debuted in the January Issue of The Southern Cross, Grazia Barletta’s “Cooking with Saints” column has become a favourite feature among readers. And it works both ways: doing the monthly column “brings me so much joy”, says Grazia, who not only provides the recipes but also takes the photographs accompanying them — she provided the November 2021 cover image.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own column, and with prayer and patience, it came to fruition,” she says, referring to her favourite Bible verse: “With God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
Grazia also writes a blog of inspirational quotes and photography from her life and travels (momentswithgrazia.com), and has published three books which incorporate her photography. One of them is the cookbook Delicious Italian Moments, which combined Grazia’s love of cooking and photography. It’s a project where her studies in food and nutrition come in useful.
Though born and raised in Cape Town, Grazia’s background is — as her name suggests — Italian. “My parents were both from the town of Maddaloni in the province of Caserta, about 30km from Napoli. I visited in 2012 and 2013, when my mother was reunited with her older brother, after not having seen him for 32 years,” Grazia recalls. “It was beautiful to visit the Italian relations for the first time. There was so much delicious Italian food; they made us feel so welcome.” The narrow cobblestone roads, the abundance of motor scooters, and the sight of chatting residents sitting at roadsides made an impression on her.
But the Italian culture was also present when Grazia grew up in Cape Town. “I learned to cook by just watching my mother cooking and baking when I was growing up. My mom passed away six years ago, and she was the inspiration for Delicious Italian Moments. I wanted to keep her memory alive through her recipes and by remembering our traditions together.” Her favourite Italian dish? “I love making pasta al forno, which is pasta with a meaty ragu that is baked in the oven with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.”
Cooking with faith
The “Cooking with Saints” column has brought Grazia not only joy but also knowledge. “I enjoy researching the specific saint and how a recipe is connected to their story. I have learned so much about the different saints that I never imagined I would.” Faith is central in Grazia’s life. She is a member of the parish pastoral council of Our Lady of Good Hope in Sea Point, working with long-serving parish priest Mgr Clifford Stokes, and is involved in several parish activities — including selling The Southern Cross at the church door. She says that some of her fellow parishioners, especially those in the rosary group, “have become family”. Grazia is also a dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Outside food and photography, Grazia loves her plants and gardening. “I do pilates, yoga and nia dance, and walk on the Sea Point promenade for exercise.” She enjoys getting involved in charity work and fundraising, “whether it’s for an organisation or just trying to help those in need” she says. “My first two books gave me the opportunity to give the proceeds to St Joseph’s Home, Nazareth House and the Guide Dogs Association.” And then there is the travelling. Her favourite destination so far is Paris.
And who is the favourite saint of the author of “Cooking with Saints”? “My favourite saint must be St Joseph, as my late father’s name was Joseph. My dad was also a very hard worker and family man. Growing up we used to celebrate St Joseph’s feast on March 19 by eating Zeppole di San Giuseppe, which are traditional Italian pastries that are fried then filled with creamy custard and sprinkled with icing sugar. My aunt used to prepare and drop them off; my cousin has now taken over that tradition.”
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