Tender Mercies: Telefonos

Recently, we had a part of a meal that was prepared as a commemoration of a date in 1940 when Carroll and Mary Hinderlie successfully led refugees out Norway, through Germany, and into Naples. When they arrived by train in Naples, they had no money and survived for the time being on Suppli al Telefonos or Telefonos for short.

Telefonos are an Italian street food, inexpensive and filling. It is basically a croquette made with either leftover risotto or with rice. The name comes from the fact that when you either bite into one or pull it apart, the mozzarella cheese in the center will stretch out like telephone wires.

The recipe is very simple. The rice or the risotto is lightly seasoned and then pressed into a small cake. A slice of fresh mozzarella goes on top and then another small cake of rice or risotto on top of that...thus your basic croquette, which is then rolled in bread crumbs and pan fried in a bit of olive oil.

Carroll and Mary Hinderlie's son, Paul Hinderlie, is one of the current directors at Holden Village.
Years ago, Carroll and Mary Hinderlie lived at Holden in the very early years of the village and Carroll was a director.

Telefonos were prepared for us by Paul as a fitting tribute to his parents for their courage and leadership in some very difficult times some 68 years ago.