I distinctly remember my Grandma Jay (Josephine Gagliano) teaching me how to make pizzelles.
I was a teenager and it felt monumental like the proverbial baking baton was being passed from one generation to the next. She said her hands were starting to hurt and it was becoming difficult for her to mix the batter. Since that moment I have taken on the role of sole pizzelle maker in my family. Although nobody ever asks or expects it, I feel this need to provide these crispy rounds for all family events.
Food holds such a special place in my heart. It simultaneously upholds tradition and allows you to reminisce. This past year we lost a few pillars in our family. Baking pizzelles feels like an act of remembrance. It helps me feel close to those who are no longer with us. I love baking, but I specifically love making pizzelles. The distinct aroma of anise serves as a warm reminder of the good times, of the people who have made me who I am, and of future memories I get to make.
