Catherine Spicuzza - Lombardo "Momma Lombardo"

My great-grandmother (Nonna), Catherine Spicuzza-Lombardo, or "Momma Lombardo," was born and raised in Termini-Imerese, a town just outside of Palermo, Sicily. Along with her brother August “Gus” Spicuzza and husband, August “Gus” Lombardo, she came to America in the early 1900s and eventually settled in Indianapolis.

Momma Lombardo and her husband owned and operated Lombardo Produce Stand for over 40 years at the old City Market in downtown Indianapolis. After many years living in the Holy Rosary area, where many of the Indianapolis Italians had settled, Catherine and Gus eventually moved to the Southside of Indy in 1970 (the year I was born). There, I grew up with four generations living in the same house:  Catherine & Gus (my great-grandparents), my grand-parents (their daughter and her husband), my parents, and six other siblings.

Momma Lombardo, grandma and my mom would make the family sauce, meatballs and homemade bread daily. There were a lot to feed, not to mention all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors who would visit often and enjoy the family sauce and meatballs. Everything about our daily lives centered around a large table, big family, and lots of delicious homemade food that came from the old country. These were wonderful memories growing up!

There was the Netflix show, Nonna's (which we loved and brought back many wonderful memories) and if you haven't seen it, we recommend it. Our story is a real life one. 

Now that I'm in my 50s, I'm fueled by the wonderful memories and flavors. I learned from the best, and am proud to share a bit of our Sicilian heritage with our family sauce and meatballs for others to enjoy. As Momma Lombardo would say…Mangia!

Grazie!

Joseph “Giuseppe” Lawson

Great-grandson of Catherine Spicuzza-Lombardo