An Irishman, welcomed to the Italian Community

It starts with a story:

While living in Rome NY, Pete & I were regarded as, well, "renegades" for our common outspokenness in City affairs. Pete was a Union leader, I just a soap-box stomping loudmouth. But people seemed to know we cooked at our firehouses, and that we were OK at it.

My family lived on N. George St. A nice neighborhood. We had awesome neighbors. They were an iconic family in our city, owning not just any a restaurant, but a local landmark . . . a legend, really, call "The Franklin Hotel", serving hardy Italian food and incredible Italian bread and pastries.

Early Christmas morning, still in my PJ's, I walked out to the alley with trash when I saw Mr. Vescio, "Phil", pull up close in his truck. Obviously already out for hours plowing snow for family, friends, the restaurant. He rolled down the window and shouted "What are you doing?!" I replied "making a great Christmas Dinner". Phil shouted back; "Yea, your version of a great Christmas dinner is Chef Boyardee!"

You see, I, a "mayonnaise face", married an Italian Princess. The non-Italian holiday fare being crafted inside our house for an Italian princess was a disgrace not only to Phil but to the entire Italian community. He loved to break my balls.

But really, how many years will it take to be "accepted".

I'd have lunch at "The Franklin" when ever I wasn't at the firehouse. I'd walk in, Phil's crew looking at me, moving their hands toward their belt-line then saying to my wife Catherine; "He better be taking care of you" followed by a half nod implying "you know what I mean".

Then, one day in early March 2007, as I came in for Monday's goulash I was summoned to Mr. Vescio's table.

"Hey Olney, sit down"
"What's up Phil?"
"I want you to come to my St. Joesph's Day Party"

Holy SHIT
Sitting at the counter now, Catherine came and said "Do you know what that means?
I said yes, but I was lying.
Cath said; "You know, not just anyone is invited to Phil's St. Joesph's Day party."

If anyone asked me before that day what St. Joesph's day was celebrating, I would have accuse the Italians of being jealous of the Irish St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Now I know.

Wikipedia:
In Sicily, where St. Joseph is regarded by many as their Patron Saint, and many Italian-American communities, thanks are given to St. Joseph ("San Giuseppe" in Italian) for preventing a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if he answered their prayers, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their patron saint. The fava bean was the crop which saved the population from starvation and is a traditional part of St. Joseph's Day altars and traditions. Giving food to the needy is a St. Joseph's Day custom. In some communities it is traditional to wear red clothing and eat a Sicilian pastry known as a zeppola on St. Joseph's Day.[6][7] Sweets are popular because St. Joseph is the patron saint of pastry chefs.[8]

Happy St. Joesph's Day Phil and family, from your Irish/Italian cooking team friends Steve & Pete and our families.