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Community Corner

A Taste of Italy in Mar Vista

Rita's Roman Recipes has found a home away from home at the Mar Vista Farmers' Market

The Sunday already has cross-cultural appeal, but since the arrival of Rita’s Roman Recipes and her delicious Italian fare, the market is even more of an international attraction.  The booth is decked out in Italian flags with bags of organic pasta and fresh rosemary plants decorating the table. 

As soon as Rita Di Dionisio opens her mouth you know she’s the real deal. “Buon giorno!” she says in her lilting Italian accent. She’s been operating her Italian catering business for 32 years in Los Angeles, and just six weeks ago joined the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market. Locals can now enjoy a delicious selection of Italian sauces and pre-made lasagne (that’s the plural of lasagna) each week.

Di Dionisio told me about the delectable offerings as I perused a basket of gourmet treats. 

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“We make fresh pasta sauce and sauces for chicken and fish. We make fresh pesto, and we have the most amazing salad dressing – basil vinaigrette.” 

The booth also sells both meat and cheese lasagna and eggplant parmigiana. Di Dionisio plans to sell hot food in the coming months as she gets settled into her new location. 

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The tri-colored tomato sauce is made from tomatoes that Di Dionisio gets at the farmers’ market, and has garlic, basil and just a hint of chili pepper.  She also makes a turkey ragu, which is the second most popular item she sells.  Her classic Roman Marinara and Marco’s Mediterranean Marinara, with onions, olive oil and chives are also big hits. It is the basil vinaigrette, however, that steals the show at Rita’s Roman Recipes.     

When I asked what’s the secret to her basil vinaigrette, Di Dionisio looked around to see if anyone was watching. She smiled and said that it’s healthy and low caloric, but that’s as much as I could get out of her. I tried the pesto vinaigrette over a spinach salad later that evening and it is truly remarkable.  Customers recognize her pesto vinaigrette all over Los Angeles, so there must be a good reason to guard the secret. 

As the weather cools down, Di Dionisio's homemade minestrone or her Zuppa di Ceci – garbanzo bean soup – will warm your stomach and soul. Need a quick meal?  Her pesto sauce can be tossed on any pasta and Ecco!  - dinner in under 10 minutes. Many of the sauces and soups are vegetarian or vegan, so there are plenty of options for those with dietary restrictions. 

Di Dionisio is headquartered in Agoura Hills and she has a booth at the South Pasadena and Hollywood Farmers’ markets, but we are fortunate to have her close by, bringing authentic Italy to our doorstep. 

Find out more about Rita’s Gourmet Catering online, and stay tuned for her new website. In the meanwhile, follow Di Dionisio on her Facebook page, and stock up on sauces at the market.

Christy Wilhelmi is well known to many local Mar Vistans as The Gardenerd. Her website and blog at  www.gardenerd.com offers  information on classes, consulting and food-garden design.

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