Friday, July 30, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. In-person or Zoom Class: A Sicilian Summer Dinner with Chef Rocco DiGrazia. In-person cost: $75.00 per person. Zoom cost: $40.00 per household.

Just like a summer dinner Sicily, an al fresco evening of deliciousness awaits as Chef Rocco DiGrazia of Rocco’s Little Chicago honors his roots under the Tucson stars at the beautiful Urban Grove.

The in-person class, limited to 20, has both chef demonstration and hands-on components; the portions are full size. You can be anywhere in the world to cook along with Chef Rocco live via Zoom.

Summer Caponata Bruschetta, bursting with eggplant, vegetables and seasonings, jam-packed with flavors sweet, sour and salty is the appetizer. Busiate with Pesto Alla Trapanese is the pasta dish. Though tomatoes in pesto may sound crazy, this is Sicily’s answer to Liguria’s more famous pesto. The two versions have fresh basil, nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese in common. Ligurian pesto uses pine nuts, Sicily’s uses almonds, then adds juicy tomatoes on top for a uniquely delicious pesto. Chef Rocco amps his up with mint, too. It’s served with Busiate pasta that’s perfect for catching all the little bits of pesto!

Grilled swordfish stuffed with pine nuts, golden raisins, Romano cheese and breadcrumbs is the main course. Sicilians and Tucsonans share a love of foods made with prickly pear fruit. Prickly Pear (fichi d’india) and Lemon Granita, a Sicilian ice dessert similar to sorbet, is a winning flavor combination that’s as appealing to the eye as to the palate, and the perfect way to end a summer meal.

This is our monthly class highlighting local dining at its best with Tucson Originals restaurants. Formed 1999, the Tucson Originals have been the driving force and model for similar groups across America who are working to preserve the culinary spirit of their communities. With the rapid rise of chain eateries, this alliance has helped many of Tucson’s signature restaurants survive and thrive. They’re your neighbors and friends who contribute endlessly to the betterment of our community. They’re the first to give when there’s a need.

CLASS NOTES: The in-person class, limited to 20, will be held at The Urban Grove, 550 W. Orange Grove Rd., where misters and outside air conditioning will keep you cool, and is also offered live via the Zoom app. You’ll receive an email with recipes and class details 5 days in advance. Some time-consuming steps may need to be prepared before the Zoom class. Click here for required in-person waivers.

Please use an email address you frequently check. Our emails can get caught in spam filters or blocked entirely. Please contact us if you don’t receive the class information. All classes are nonrefundable. You can request a transfer to a different class up to one week prior to class. The Zoom link is not transferable or shareable.

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