Gnocchi.  When I say that word, what comes to mind?  Some of you may think pasta.  Some of you may think Italian old world cooking.  Some of you may even think of your relatives or family gatherings.

I think about history.

Old Photograph of Casa Mimi Italian Restaurant

I think about a family richly ensconced in the fabric of Akron’s community.  I think of a restaurant founded in 1967 that for a brief moment in time during its beginning years was part garage,  part pizza parlor.

The restaurant I am referring to is Casa Perfetto, formerly known as Casa Mimi, located on Manchester Road.  The family, of course, is the Perfetto Family.  The restaurant was founded by Frances and Antimo (Mimi) Perfetto along with brother and chef Giuseppe (Joe) Perfetto.  In 1997, Joe acquired the restaurant along with his late wife Charlotte, and the Perfetto family continues to turn out crazy good homemade meatballs, marinara sauce, veal, and pasta dishes for multiple generations of patrons.

Then there is the gnocchi.  Little tender dollops of goodness.  The gnocchi is hand made every week by Giuseppe’s son Tony who takes painstaking care and pride in his craft.  He also happens to be the best and fastest of the Perfettos in making the small jewels of dough.  The gnocchi are mouthwatering, soft, filling, and the best of Italian comfort food this city has to offer.

So, on February 9th, our monthly  executive/finance committee meeting was held in the dining room of the “House of Perfetto.”  And as we regaled in the family stories and history as told by Giuseppe’s endearing and hospitable daughter Francesca, the family presented our group with a sampling of their divine cuisine.  We heard of the family traveling from Naples, Italy, of their meeting their respective spouses, of creating the restaurant and the recipes that thrive, and of course the family celebrations that continue to take place to this day.  With eyes and ears transfixed on Francesca, for a brief moment on a cold and blizzardly Tuesday night, we were all a part of the Perfetto family.

These and other stories of the people of Summit County are what are important for our community and our organization.  As we go forward into 2010 and beyond, we will continue to tell you these incredible “historic” stories of our people. ~ Board President Rich Comstock, Spring 2010 Portage Trail Review

*The June 23rd Board meeting will be held at Casa Perfetto followed by an “Open House” at 6:00pm which includes a tasting of Casa Perfetto menu items.  All society members are encouraged to attend.*

Excerpt from Casa Perfetto menu.

Not a member of SCHS?  Membership forms are available here.  They can be mailed to:

Summit County Historical Society

550 Copley Rd.  Akron, OH 44320

Did you ever get a hankering for Lou & Hy’s famous cheesecake?  Well, Lou & Hy’s may be gone but Jane Snow, former Akron Beacon Journal food editor, made sure Akronites got the recipe in her article published October 15, 2003 in the Akron Beacon Journal.  If you would like to learn more about Jane and her recipes, she is the featured speaker at a brunch hosted by the Highland Square branch of the Akron Summit County Public Library on Saturday, October 24.  She will present her new book, JANE SNOW COOKS:  SPIRITED RECIPES AND STORIES and autograph copies.  Call to register for this event at 330-376-2927.  If you can’t make it, at least you have this recipe.  Enjoy and Mangia!
 

Lou & Hy’s Deli Cheesecake Recipe

 Thanks to Jane Snow’s ABJ article on October 15, 2003

Crust:
4          cups graham cracker crumbs
10        tbsp. melted butter

 Cake:

8          packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 ½      cups plus 2 tbsp. flour
2 ¾      cups plus 2 tbsp. sugar
½         tsp. salt
1          pint sour cream
9          eggs
2          half-pint containers whipping cream
½         cup powdered sugar
1          tbsp. vanilla
1          tbsp. lemon juice
            Cherry, blueberry, or pineapple pie filling and whipped cream if desired.

For the crust:  Stir and toss crumbs with melted butter. Press equal amounts into the bottoms of four 8 - or 8 ½ inch round springform pans, or 9 ½ , 8 ½ , and 7 ½ in pan.  Set aside.

For the cake:  In a 5 quart mixer bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy.  Slowly beat in flour, then sugar.  Add salt and sour cream and  beat until smooth, scraping down sides occasionally with a rubber spatula.

Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until egg is incorporated. Bowl will be very full. Turn off mixer. Scrape bowl and stir with a rubber spatula until batter is uniformly mixed.

In a very large bowl, beat whipping cream until slightly thickened. While beating, slowly add sugar, vanilla and lemon juice until soft peaks form.

Pour one-fourth of the cream cheese mixture into the bowl with the whipped cream and fold until incorporated. Add half of remaining batter and fold again, then fold in remaining batter. 

Pour batter over crusts in springform pans. Place in a boiling water bath and bake in a preheated, 325-degree oven for about 21/2 hours; or place pans directly on oven shelves and bake in a preheated, 350-degree oven until cheesecakes are almost set.

To test for doneness, gently shake pans. The cheesecakes should still wiggle slightly. Without the water bath, baking time will be about 40 minutes for a 71/2-inch cake, 50 minutes for an 8- to 81/2-inch cake, and 60 minutes for a 91/2-inch cake.

 Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Before serving, run a sharp knife between the cake and sides of the pan. Release the clamp, spread the ring open and lift off the cake. Top with pie filling and decorate with whipped cream, if desired.

Listen my children and you shall hear…. History happens all around us everyday in our family’s, friends’, and neighbors’ lives.  How often have you thought – I really need to get “_______” (fill in the blank – mom’s, dad’s, grandpa’s, my buddy’s) story before something happens and it’s lost forever.  Here is your chance to share oral history with your community and beyond.  Listen to some of the stories shared by Summit County Historical Society volunteers at the Akron-Summit County Public Library event held in July.  You will be inspired to share.

Interview with Larry Williams by Ralph Witt on July 24, 2009

StoryCorps, the award-winning oral history project, and WKSU are bringing the StoryCorp mobile recording unit to downtown Akron from Aug. 27 through Sept. 19.  Don’t miss your chance at 15 minutes of fame!  Your recording could be used for segments on NPR’s Morning Edition and, if not, all recorded interviews are archived at the Library of Congress for the entire world to hear.

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening.  By recording the stories of our lives with the people we care about, we experience our history, hopes, and humanity. Since 2003, tens of thousands of everyday people have interviewed family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to take home and share, and is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress. Millions listen to our award-winning broadcasts on public radio and the Internet. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, creating a growing portrait of who we really are as Americans.

StoryCorp Mobile Unit

Reserve your slot by calling 800-850-4406.

For additional information or to reserve an appointment online, visit StoryCorps.org.