Namesakes & Garlic salts
How I named SALTY MAMINA Garlic Salt Blends.
Last night, I shared with friends how SALTY MAMINA was born and why the blends carry family names. I’m often asked this so I thought I’d share with you too.
In 2023—the idea of SALTY MAMINA drove a Cupid’s Arrow filled with love and passion straight to my heart and it’s been sending me love notes ever since.
It wouldn’t be untrue to say I was—and am—obsessed with honoring my family in the name of SALTY MAMINA.
My first batch
of Nonnie OG
Could I honor my ancestors and share my Italian family traditions as I build SALTY MAMINA?
Garlic Salt inspired by family
Perfecting the garlic salt recipe
In 2023 I was in a flow of garlic salt creation—perfecting my garlic salt recipe and bringing SALTY MAMINA to life.
Selecting the best local and organic garlic
Taste-testing pure sea salts from various regions
Finding peppercorns with the best bite
Testing grinds and tasting batches
Sourcing local organic herbs and fresh spices
Namesakes & Garlic Salts
Family inspires garlic salt blends
As I was perfecting my garlic salt recipe, it seemed fitting to name my original blend after Nonnie—to honor both my grandmother Nonnie and Mom (a Nonnie too). After all, they are the legendary women who brought the recipe into my home.
Nonnie’s OG Garlic Salt
Nonnie’s OG Garlic salt is my original blend—named in honor of Nonnie and Mom.
Nonnie OG & Nonno Leo
SALTY MAMINA Garlic Salt began with an idea inspired my grandmother Nonnie—who cooked every meal with heart. Her food was simple, soulful, and always seasoned with homemade garlic salt.
Mom, Nonnie, My Inspiration
Nonnie OG passed her love of cooking—and her garlic salt recipe—to Mom who brought it into my life.
Mom’s food was tasty and aromatic. How did she do it? She chalked it up to her special garlic salt—and a little bit of love.
Mamina’s Fresh Herb Garlic Salt
Mamina dried fresh herbs from her garden in the hot sun.
Fresh and mellow with a buttery taste of slow-dried scallion, notes of garlic with parsley and basil, I named Mamina’s Fresh Herb Garlic Salt in honor of Mamina, my Sicilian grandmother.
Mamina, my Sicilian Grandmother
Mamina cooked a delicate sauce and dried fresh herbs from her garden in the hot sun. How fitting! Garlic salt with parsley, basil, and scallion—a fan fav just like Mamina.
Armando’s Red Pepper Garlic Salt
Armando’s Red Pepper Garlic Salt is bright and bold—just like Dad.
Dad was bigger than life, with a bigger personality. Armando’s Red Pepper Garlic Salt promises robust flavor, nuanced heat, and big personality.
Armando and Eleanor (Mom)
Armando’s Garlic Salt is named after Dad. Big, Bold. Full of flavor. Lots of personality. Just like Dad.
garlic salt, with Love
in Tribute to family
You could say that SALTY MAMINA Garlic Salt is the vessel in which I tell the stories of my heart. It’s true. Just like that, I’m sharing the story of Dad, Mom, Mamina, Nonnie and my Italian Life with YOU. Of course, I’m making garlic salt too :)
There’s more to come for sure. Lots of family, stories, and recipes to share.
—Oh, and we never talked about Carlito…more on that later.
Who would you name a spice blend after? And what would it be?
I’d love to know.
Salute!
Carla