When writer and home cook Marcia Friedman converted to Judaism, her journey to connect with Jewish history and culture naturally led to her kitchen—already a touchstone to the Italian-American foods of her childhood growing up with a half Sicilian father. Thus began Meatballs and Matzah Balls, Friedman’s endeavor to explore the union of Jewish and Italian life through food and to recreate, as well as reinterpret, classics and craft her own Italian Jewish food tradition. In Meatballs and Matzah Balls Friedman shares reflections on her childhood, family, and exploration of Jewish and Italian culture that made her the person and cook she is today. This Jewish-Italian kosher cookbook features full-color photographs and more than 100 kosher recipes, many of which are perfect for entertaining and holidays, including Passover. This book makes an especially meaningful gift to those new to Judaism and Jewish cooking and also a great hostess gift.