96 year old Francesca makes focaccia genovese! | Pasta Grannies

please SWITCH ON SUBTITLES for Francesca! 😊🌺Focaccia genovese is the thin kind of focaccia. It's often baked plain, but onion topped ones are popular too. Francesca shows us how she has been making hers for the last 75 years. Tradition says it should be 2 centimetres thick, crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. Francesca's is perfect! I have uploaded Francesca's subtitles to KZbin. If you cannot see them, you'll need to switch them on - bottom right of your screen. Let me know if you prefer them to be added to the video.

[@tjbooker8585]

Her eyes are so vibrant, emitting a million special memories! God bless this wonderful lady

[@u235u235u235]

northern Italians basically germans

[@elainebmack]

@@u235u235u235. Your comment is useless. Did you not hear when Francesca said she was born in the south but married a northern Italian?

[@u235u235u235]

@@elainebmack ?

[@dionbaillargeon4899]

She's probably the granny that's doing best considering her age. It's amazing how strong and sharp she is at 96. I mean, she's one of the few approaching 100 that can really still cook not only a few portions, but for a whole bunch of people! I'd be exhausted if a had to do it myself. And I really LOVE what she says at the end: "I don't know about others, but my recipee is sleep little, eat little, walk a lot and never stop working; the prize is 96 years next September, and this way I can last till I'm 150!". What a treasure and what a refreshing optimism and energy she has.

[@italy5153]

I hope I'll get to 96 as energetic as Francesca 💖

[@souadghazal2533]

"The best restaurant is at nonna's (Francesca's) ..... yes indeed ! Looks like a crowd was waiting for the focaccias to come out of the oven! Those trays are the best for everything. So much fun to be outdoors, cooking in the garden kitchen and oven even in the rain. Long live Francesca.

[@pastagrannies]

hi Soud, yes, not shown: the crowds behind the cameras all waiting for a slice! 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@niagara6015]

I have noticed in these videos that many of these sweet grannies look a lot younger than their actual age and many of the grannies over 90 walk without assistance. These ladies are amazing and an inspiration ❤️

[@lazios]

96years, wow ... lively eyes and large memory, what a woman.

[@richardb22]

Her father died young . Her two elder sisters left to become nuns at age 13 and 16 and Francesca cried. Her brother went to Russia and was never heard of again ( I assume the Russian Front where not a a lot of Italian soldiers made it back from ) . The secret of a long life? Bear adversity with a smile and a generous heart. Richard

[@lillysnet9345]

For first time I hear that Italians, I may say, joined the Soviet soldiers. Knowing what was happening in Europe in WW1 and WW2 that make absolute sense. Forever glory to one who stepped on the right side.

[@MindMaelstrom]

@@lillysnet9345 not joining the Soviet, but against them!

[@lillysnet9345]

@@MindMaelstrom... it was written in sense that ... her brother went to Russia... I thought that some Italians didn't like their government chosen side. I was born in Yugoslavia.

[@AriaLuminosa]

@@lillysnet9345 My grandfather was one of the few survivors of Kefalonia, he was taken prisoner and put on a freight train to concentration camps and prisons in Russia. Near Piacenza, in northern Italy, he jumped off the train and fled, the farmers of the area hid him, burned his uniform and gave him new clothes and he walked for miles, hiding everywhere and helped by anyone, and managed to go home to my grandmother. My uncle said he looked like the concentration camp Jews you see in photos and videos, he was barely alive but he was safe. Unfortunately, practically all the Italians brought to Russia in that period died, like Mrs. Francesca's brother.

[@rhonda6791]

@@AriaLuminosa thank you for telling us your story. I think it’s the stories that make this channel special.

[@anthonymarconi761]

So lovely...her comment made me reflect that I was lucky my nonno did make it back from Russia (although with permanent lung damage), and he cooked many dishes for my cousins and me 🙏🏻

[@pastagrannies]

that's good to hear Anthony, thank you 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@legatovtarot]

As Russian I can tell that if anyone came back from Russia (war wise) he / she is extremely fortunate. Ours is a harsh land ...

[@anthonymarconi761]

@@legatovtarot indeed he never really opened up on that, letting me have glimpses of what he saw and went through only late in his life. Mother Russia’s territory and denizens are legendary in military history, but as far as I’m concerned it is a beautiful country and its people have a warmth in their heart that no winter can extinguish! 🙏🏻

[@sarahp1383]

Thank you for this delightful presentation of Focaccia Genoese . Francesca is 96 ? I cannot believe it Her sureness of touch when she kneads the dough, tightens the cap of a jar, pulls out kindling wood from a wood pile,and snaps them in two with effortless ease, zestfully sharpens her knives, and moves around her cucina with a ramrod straight back, puts people half her age to shame. What an endearing smile she has, matched by her sparkling blue eyes so full of life. Bless you sweet Nona for the cheer you spread. May the angels protect you always.

[@AlmondAngel]

Tears of joy and satisfaction of knowing that these wonderful souls exist! I wish Francesca is part of my family. Some people are lucky to have her... sigh.

[@r.z.608]

What wonderful words. You are very kind ❤️

[@freudvibes10]

Vicky, I hope that one day you share with us your story, who are you, how did you start this amazing project, how is this experience etc! Much love, from Albania!🙏😊❤️

[@enriquehernandez8947]

I agree with that!

[@christopherwinsor]

100%!!

[@pastagrannies]

hi E S you are right, I must try and remember to do more behind the scenes filming; I think folk might enjoy that. 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@vanilla383]

Yessss

[@martyrose]

Great idea!

[@mikea3098]

It's so amazing to see these people almost a century old and seeming like they aren't any other than 60 or 70. I doubt I will make it that long. I wish her the best. So wonderful

[@benedyglen]

Che Dio la benedica! God bless you Francesca! Focaccia is a staple for us inGenova...

[@thomasbrian1411]

Yes you are right

[@thomasbrian1411]

Where do you live if I may ask?

[@benedyglen]

@@thomasbrian1411 Genova, Italy !! :-)

[@thomasbrian1411]

How about we communicate on a better platform?

[@thomasbrian1411]

I’m from Houston Texas. Nice to meet you

[@crabmannyjoe2]

The birds chirping, that scene is beautiful.

[@luanllluan]

Beautiful, full of life. She's a role model for all of us

[@ThePricipleOfParsimony]

Complimenti Signora Francesca! Dimostra 70 anni non 96! Auguri e dio la benedica per tanti anni di più!

[@coletterice]

I can't believe she's 96! She's just beautiful and so vibrant. And the foccacia looks divine!

[@curtishawkins4188]

A wonderful recipe I'll be including in Pasta Sundays, which I host each week for my friends. And I would not be at all shocked to see such a vibrant, energetic lady alive at 150! Thank you Francesca!

[@newdimension4731]

MY GOSH she's more active and healthy than mostly 70's women i see around my own homeland. I wanna be like her for the 30 years i have left maybe more to live... young at heart, healthy and active as always

[@scottamori3188]

Those outdoor workspaces! I’m in love with it! She is so mesmerizing I do not even care that I can only pick out some of the Italian. Another home run.

[@pastagrannies]

hi Scott, I tried something different this week which was to upload the subtitles to KZbin rather than add them to the video itself. Look for the 'Closed Captions' cc button on your screen and switch it on. 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@elizabethwallace7495]

OK! This was amazing! What a process! I'll never forget the focaccia we ate in Genova. But this lady! Wow! Loved hearing her stories. Thank you.

[@patriciavincent5076]

What a beautiful lady! What a divine and peaceful place to be. Love Liguria, the lemons, the basil, the wine, the olive oil, the people, and the gentle way of life. Gorgeous focaccia!

[@pietrobonabello1549]

The people?? You can't be italian hahahaha

[@PageantExpert]

I love the fiery & loving relationship of Francesa & her daughter in law.. 😅

[@martyrose]

That looks fantastic! I'd happily trade that for any cake, cookie, or sweet any day. Love the outdoor kitchen. Thanks Vicky! 💜👍

[@pastagrannies]

hi Marty, yes I also had outdoor kitchen envy... best wishes, Vicky

[@Getpojke]

Oh that looks wonderful, I feel I could eat a whole tray of that at a sitting. Please ask her if she'd like to adopt a son. 😁 Thanks as always for these wonderful slices of happiness.

[@pastagrannies]

I am hoping to spend more time with Francesca next month as I would like her to be in book 2. 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@Getpojke]

@@pastagrannies Oh that would be excellent, & great news on another book! Your first one is splendid, constantly dipping back into it & its taught me a lot. I'll be ordering that when its available. Good luck with the research & writing. James. 👍🏻

[@pastagrannies]

thank you James, I'm delighted the book gets a lot of use! best wishes, Vicky

[@shahidaziz9467]

Where can I find your book??

[@davidwaggott6138]

Extraordinary. She's living proof to show that age is just a number, and you're as old as you want to be.

[@mjrussell414]

Just wow. A friend of mine wants to give me some sourdough starter since she has so much so I’m going to have to try this. And fermenting the dough makes it easier to digest for people with gluten sensitivity.

[@832JY]

My reason for my love of focaccia is its aroma and savoriness. I love making fresh focaccia for my brunch, and I sometimes shared with my sister, nephew and niece. Guess what? She asked me to make and sell because her friends are drooling over my focaccia! 😂😂😋😋

[@flarica64]

sounds like a business ... Go for it!! Blessings!

[@832JY]

@@flarica64 Thanks for it! 😄

[@123pgq]

That olive oil pourer is absolutely beautiful! And that focaccia looks delicious, Francesca is a wonderful cook :)

[@amolpathak199]

What a Lovely lady.! Her stamina & enthusiasm even at this stage is astonishing.! As well as the golden rule given by her.! Bless you Granny.

[@mariondunlop651]

What a great smile and laugh. Beautiful countryside.

[@andzamagagula1233]

I love this channel ❤️ it's so sweet to watch 🥺 would've loved if this video English subtitles when she speaks cause I would've loved to know she was saying ❤️ she's so sweet ❤️

[@pastagrannies]

hi Andza, you can switch on the English subtitles - there's a button either lower or upper right of your screen. 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@anon7641]

What an incredibly sweet video this is... teared me up. Love you Grandma.. prayers for you to be well Grandma.. thank you 🙏 for sharing your story....

[@billcornwall5696]

I have no idea what she was talking about, but I could listen all day! What a delightful woman!!

[@isadora1727]

This channel inspired me to learn Italian

[@andre85c50]

Per principio metto un like ai tuoi video... Anche per onorare queste donne, madri, mogli e figlie. La focaccia alla genovese è un Must in tutt Italia.

[@katehomefitness]

How wonderful. I pray she is still with us for a long time.

[@pastagrannies]

I am pleased to report Francesca is still well. best wishes, Vicky

[@katehomefitness]

@@pastagrannies 🥰

[@dreamingfool2]

Watching these videos remind me that the Keto diet must be sacrilegious in Italy.

[@aleben6009]

I'm italian... ahahahah is impossible here 😀😀😀

[@gipsi2001]

Yep 😂😂😂😂😎

[@pastagrannies]

yes - nothing is off limits for Francesca because of her very active lifestyle. In addition to vegetable gardening she finds the time to swim in the sea every day. 😊🌺 best wishes, Vicky

[@gipsi2001]

@@pastagrannies ❤️❤️❤️🌹

[@inannashu689]

We love you Francesca! and thank you for sharing this with us.

[@cecik5578]

Incredible. She is so sprightly! What an inspiration!

[@raveenasharma5052]

I am from India I wish we could have authentic italion pizza like this in here too.

[@paperinik69]

this is focaccia from Genoa though not pizza :)

[@patricianunes4490]

I find it really beautiful and remarkable to watch people this age cooking these tasty and original recipes, love your channel honestly! ❤

[@19dec1981]

Bless her.what a lovely lady.

[@guillermija]

Thank you for both recipes, Francesca! The focaccia and the one for the long life... Truly amazing human being.

[@archanasaxena6123]

God bless her, we wish her health and happiness

[@Kitsune-dono]

Aaaah my region, ever so beautiful... what a nostalgic thought ❤️ Thank you for job everyone, it's so precious and important, what a work you've done! I hope you're all well proud, you have good reasons to be 🥰 Big hugs!

[@cristinapavesi4729]

Wonderful Francesca, such a lovely person!! And I wish I could taste that focaccia too!! 😋

[@jacquiemouton9053]

Blessings to this lovely lady.

[@sophiamac9100]

Both focaccia look absolutely scrumptious!!

[@lucylamolina5899]

She is so adorable like all the other pasta grannies and I was looking for something to do with my excess sourdough starter , look no more ..💗👏😋

[@nealieanderson512]

Gosh those focaccia look wonderful!!! Francesca is amazing! She will probably live another 20 years!!

[@orsolaventura1924]

Brava sei un esempio Per le nuove generazione . La focaccia Genovese. E un piatto ITALIANO fatto con pochi ingredienti ma buonissima. Brava

[@yusralouhi2788]

I'm so happy you posted a traditional sourdough recipe as it makes wheat so much healthier.

[@cinthiaveras9638]

That crunch was amazing in the end

[@mingzilla]

Francesca is amazing!! And the focaccia looks sooo good 😋

[@elenalucebelo]

Questo video non ha prezzo per me....grazie mille Pasta Grannies!!!

[@erica2912]

I just made this! It was really delicious and easy to do. I cured my leeks and tomatoes an hour before baking, and they were savory and flavorful. Topped the bread with fresh mozzarella halfway through baking 😋 Definitely going to make this more regularly with my sourdough starter. I realized that about 220 ml of water worked better for my dough, not 320ml!

[@moyralouise7123]

What a delightful smiling face ♥️

[@annettecinquemanifalbo17]

Happiness abounds in this vid! Loved it, I sure do wish I could have had a slice of that focaccia!

[@thomasbrian1411]

I must say you are really good at cooking lol

[@jeanthobaben]

Wow! I love the pizza oven and outdoor kitchen.

[@funcool71]

this why I love this channell: I'm italian but I don't understand who speak italian but who speak only english. This is magic!

[@Sparrowdean]

Francesca is a remarkable woman she looks so fit and strong and much younger than 96 years old, in fact she looks much younger than her daughter-in-law. I can't help wondering what became of her brother who went to Russia and was never heard from again, very sad.

[@HeyWatchMeGo]

I cringed when the daughter-in-law wanted to step in and help (take over)...She started to knead the focaccia after it had risen, and that would have ruined it.

[@turumellascookingtravel4014]

It's such a beautiful feeling watching this video, god bless you

[@10cent38]

This is so inspiring. thankful!

[@corra7]

What a beautiful woman! Full of love in her hands alone. Bravissima!

[@mikemac1129]

such a feel good video. also what a lovely place to live.

[@marilyn1228]

Stomach growling, I can not wait till the 2nd Pasta Grannies cookbook!!

[@madeleinekarlssonbengtsson]

She is so lovely and adorable!

[@sylviadown8075]

Bra a Francesca. Mi hai motivata da provare questa ricetta. Che brio!

[@jumorju]

She is so precious 🥰

[@caregiver6117]

Looks delicious, what a lovely cook. ❤

[@cathyggill]

Loved this!

[@geomondiale1768]

My favorite KZbin channel 😁

[@carleymoffatt4250]

Yumm!!! Love you Nonna Francesca.

[@karthiksritharan5088]

Sensational. Love all your videos and this one has just made me smile on my way to work. Kx

[@dbertovi]

Beautiful!

[@jolapola696]

The sweetest granny ever! Yummy focaccia.I want now!:-D

[@cococho2767]

what a doll!! she is ADOOORABLE!!! But we miss translation

[@pastagrannies]

hi Coco, please press the 'closed captions' button on the right hand side of your screen when viewing the video? The captions should appear 😊🌺 it's just for this video. It was an experiment and so many people didn't how know to do this that I went back to the old way! best wishes, Vicky

[@LeMcCHarStar4ever]

Lovely!

[@VeraLucia-qs1jp]

Linda nona! Que viva até os 120 com saúde e lucidez! Um exemplo!!!

[@truthfinder6246]

Oh that looks sooooo good! Nona is a really pretty lady too.

[@dpistoltube]

Looks delicious 😋

[@zolawilliams1]

Whoever made her that apron loves her very much.

[@leenamohamd2]

How delightful ❤

[@user-wt8zc1kz9l]

Спасибо вам прекрасная Франческа!❤

[@lyndaturner9294]

Francesca is delightful, I love her outdoor kitchen, thank you for sharing her with us! This video has made my day!

[@kyokootonashi1054]

Bravissima nonna Francesca, sei fenomenale, la tua focaccia sarà speciale, col lievito madre casereccio ♥️

[@Jimjolnir]

Live forever, gran! :D

[@ChaosIceDragon]

Wow, she's doing really great for being 96 years old. If i wasn't reading the title and her telling the age, i was thinking she would be between 75 and 80 years old.For 96 she looks very fit! That's the lifestyle we should look up to to be more fit and live longer!

[@fgfg5185]

Francesca is awesome!

[@amhell2741]

Francesca is precious ✨

[@altondouglas1024]

Francesca God give you health and success on KZbin. Just admire you!

[@dawnajamison430]

Thank you for sharing. Love from 🇺🇸 USA Brockport, Pennsylvania

[@tonip9844]

what a jewel Francesca is.... Hope she is doing well since this was made over a year ago!

[@pastagrannies]

hi Toni, we spoke to her daughter a few weeks ago and she's still going strong. best wishes, Vicky

[@tonip9844]

@@pastagrannies thank you so much for responding... Blessings!

[@davenedunn8570]

Wonderful to watch. Wish there were subtitles so I knew what she was saying. Thank you for sharing.

[@HeyWatchMeGo]

You can turn on the English subtitles by clicking the CC (closed captions) on the bottom of the screen when the video is playing.

[@lut4579]

What a beautiful and talented pasta grannie. Cooking wonderful focaccia outside too. I wish I knew Italian to learn more about her family history. So much she spoke! I Missed the translation in this episode. Thank you for an interesting and fun episode.

[@rwelostyet8423]

Yes, I missed the translation too. I’ve no clue what she’s saying.

[@pastagrannies]

hi Lu, I tried a different system this week where subtitles are uploaded to KZbin not added to the video itself. Please press the cc button (if watching on your mobile) which is the top right hand of your screen. best wishes, Vicky

[@pastagrannies]

the translations are there, but you need to switch them on - it's the closed captions 'cc' button, top right hand side if watching on your mobile. best wishes, Vicky

[@alexalderthay4346]

There are no subtitles available..😭

[@lut4579]

@@pastagrannies Thank you so much for the translation info Vicki! I’m so excited that they are still here!, 🤗 You made my day. I will do what you said now and get those translations on so I can learn more about this special granny….thank you again.

[@invinoveritas6859]

Mamma mia che bella.Buon appetito a tutti !!!

[@paul47796]

Love from a pasta grannie fan. xox

[@Serendipity1977]

Che focaccia stupenda! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@shundakm]

Vicky I love for you to add the subtitles

[@pastagrannies]

Yes they are there. I tried a different way of uploading the subtitle which didn’t work because loads of folk - like you 😊- are not familiar with the closed captions button which is on the right hand side of the screen. Press it and the subtitles should appear. Please let me know if you encounter any issues. I have gone back to the old way for subsequent episodes! 😊🌺 Best wishes Vicky