Cerehratin Metie*Ss Suatie (NAPSA)—Memories of food are rich and powerful—reminding people of connections with friends and family both past and present. Capturing and preserving these memories throughrecipesis the goal of a new program by Progresso, makers of high-quality ingredient products including canned tomatoes, beans, sauces and bread crumbs— a mainstay in Italian-American kitchens. Progresso joins Washington, D.C.based National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), to invite Italian- Americansto preserve their culinary heritage by sending recipes and personal reminiscences to NIAF’s historical archives. “As our mothers and grandmothers get older,it’s important to write down those recipes,” says Marie Simmons, cookbook author, teacher and columnist. A third-generation ItalianAmerican, Simmonsis concerned that Italian cooking traditions are gradually beinglost. Italian-Americans who wantto preserve their family food history should send their recipes and anecdotes to: Italian American Heritage Recipes c/o Erica Saviano, Ketchum 711 Third Ave, 16th floor NewYork, N.Y. 10017 Or for more information visit www.progressofoods.com. “A family favorite is my mother’s Cannellini Beans and Tuna Salad,” says Simmons. “When making a dish with few ingredients, it’s important to select the best quality brands to carry the flavor. I tend to use brands my family bought because I know I can depend on them.” Preserving recipes and food traditions captures the essence of Italian-American life through the generations. Cannellini Beans and Tuna Salad PREP: 20 min \% cup chopped red onion 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley 1 mediumstalk celery, finely chopped(4 cup) 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 can (19 ounces) Progresso cannellini beans, drained 1 can (6 ounces) Progresso light tunain oliveoil, drained % cup Progresso red wine vinegar % cupoliveoil Salt and pepperto taste Toss onion, parsley, celery, garlic, beans and tunain large bowl. Stir together vinegar and oil; stir into bean mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Coverandrefrigerate. 4 servings (about *4 cup each).
