Meals are a motif prevalent throughout the novel. The novel is broken into two parts, with each part revolving around the preparation of a meal: either zuppa or pasta. In both cases, the meal preparation and the sharing of the meal afterward reflect the characters’ emotional beats, including their moments of reflection and realization.

In cooking meals, the young characters prepare ingredients, shape dough, and relax while basking in the smells of the dish before eating. In their character growth, which is the central focus of the novel, the same young characters must similarly assemble their memories, form them into meaningful patterns, and pause to absorb what that process has yielded. As the children cook and eat, they self-reflect and grow—the work of analyzing one’s own actions may be challenging, but the results are nourishing.

Granny Torrelli’s approach to teaching the children to make meals also parallels her approach to guiding them through self-reflection. In cooking, she does offer some explicit instructions, for example, stir the soup and be gentle with the meatballs. However, she simultaneously allows space for the children to practice independence. Rosie gets to pick which salad she wants (the one with oranges), and

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