Dorothy Indelicato is well known for her role as the second generation matriarch of the Indelicato family and as a third generation member of the Delicato Winery family business.

She also is known for  her serving roles with the Manteca Chamber of Commerce, Manteca Mayor’s Committee on the Arts, Soroptomist International, Manteca Visitors and Conference Bureau, and other significant foundations.   With all that Indelicato has done and continues to do, if there was one word to best describe this outstanding woman’s nature that word would have be “giver.”

Indelicato continually spends her life giving of herself however she can to help her family, the business, the people of the community, as well as others around her— a sincere giving heart is just something that shines through Dorothy Indelicato.   

Among the latest ways of Dorothy giving to others is through family recipes shared in her cookbook, “Delicato Family Cookbook: From the Old Country to the Wine Country” which is schedule to be released November 2015.

Filled with numerous time-honored Italian and Portuguese recipes as well as details on wine and marinades, Indelicato kindly shares with us, prior to release, an introduction to her book along with a treasured recipe with directions for Grape Jelly for members of the community to enjoy during this harvest season.

(Excerpt from Delicato Family Cookbook: From the Old Country to the Wine Country)

The history of California wine and its food culture has been formed in large part by Italian immigrants.  When young Gaspare Indelicato broke ground in the San Joaquin Valley, and started the small wine growing operation over 90 years ago that would grow into Delicato Family Vineyards, he could not have imagined his role in the legacy of winemaking in California.

In the Delicato Family Cookbook, second generation matriarch Dorothy Indelicato, opens up the family recipe box to share the fascinating story told through a rich collection of ethnic dishes, photos and historical narrative.

From simple, quick dishes to all-day affairs —  from ricotta-stuffed Cozzola and Pasta Asciutta to Osso Bucco and Portuguese Sopas —  this cookbook is a broad mix of ethnic cuisines, with old-world Italian and Portuguese influences.  Of course, there’s also a lot of good wine sense here including the proper methods for cooking with wine, pairing information and marinades.

At its heart, the Delicato Family Cookbook celebrates the way good food and an appreciation for family heritage make for deep roots and strong values for generations to come.

Ingredients:

Grape Jelly Recipe

10 cups grape juice

2 packages pectin (1.75 ounces each) I use Sure Jell

1 tablespoon butter

½ cup lemon juice

12 cups sugar

Directions:

uSet out all of the utensils that you will need for the recipe:  

Large (6 or 8 quart) pan, small pan, jars, rings, lids, measuring cups, sugar, juice, pectin

uPrepare jars - clean in dishwasher through dry cycle.  Place upside down on towel to be ready.

uPrepare and measure juice needed.  Add ¼ cup lemon juice per recipe.  Add 1 tablespoon of butter to minimize foaming.

uPrepare small pot of hot water.  Bring water to just below boiling point.  Place the amount of lids needed in the water and keep the water temperature just below boiling.

uPlace pectin (Sure Jell) package in juice and stir.  Cook over medium heat.

uMeasure sugar

uWhen juice begins to boil, place measured sugar in pan.

uWait for juice to boil once more after sugar has been added.

uBe sure it is a rolling boil.  Boil for one minute.

uUse a ladle to place jelly into jar.

uPut hot lid over cleaned rim of jar.  Place ring on jar.  Tighten jar.

uPlace finished jar on newspaper and allow to cool.  

uThe lids will make a popping sound as it seals.

uLabel jar with variety of jelly and the date that it 

uStore jelly jars at room temperature away from a heat source.

uAfter jar has been opened, store unused jelly in refrigerator.

To learn more about Dorothy Indelicato and Delicato Winery visit www.delicato.com.  To pre-order Delicato Family Cookbook: From the Old Country to the Wine Country visit  www.wineappreciation.com.