Maria managed the Compagno Family restaurant on St Charles Av for 30 years and is iconic for her great food and vivacious charm. Maria, a native of Ustica, was able to harmoniously combine native Sicilian cuisine with local tastes, as perfectly expressed in the sign that hung at Compagno's - Italian, Seafood, Creole. (Click HERE for an index for the recipe listing.) For some Usticesi-Americans, like myself, that never grew up under the influence of an Italian mother or grandmother, the book fills a huge void by providing a credible link, through cooking, to a great part of our Sicilian heritage. My copy already has grease stains on the cover and I can't imagine a more glowing endorsement than that.

Maria self-published thousands copies over the past ten years and only plans to sell them through word of mouth. I am proud to be able to offer them to our greater Usticese-American community. The cost of the book is $25. Shipping and handling is additional $6. Checks or money orders can be made out to "Maria Compagno". Please mail your order and payment to: Maria Compagno, 3091 Walden Place, Mandeville, LA 70448-7530.   Maria has plenty of books in stock (as of January 2024)

Buon appetito!

Chris Caravella