Young string-beans
Butter
Parsley
Chopped onion
Yolks of one or one or two eggs
Juice of a lemon
Some grated Parmesan cheese
A pinch of soda
Water with the salt

"Cut off the ends and string some young string-beans. Cook them in salted water, then drain them well. Put them in a saucepan with some butter, parsley and chopped onion. Be careful to add occasionally some broth if the beans dry up before they are completely cooked. Boil slowly, and a few moments before taking them off the fire add the yolks of one or one or two eggs (according to the quantity of beans0 well beaten up with a little water, the juice of a lemon and some grated Parmesan cheese. Stir from time to time and never allow them to boil, or the eggs will set. To keep the beans a good color put a pinch of soda into the water with the salt."

This recipe was taken from "Simple Italian Cookery" written by Antonia Isola (pen name for Mabel Earl McGinnis). It was published in the United States by Harper and Brothers in 1912. It is believed to be the first American cookbook that contains Italian recipes. For the complete copyright-free cookbook see www.archive.org. For a variety of recipes from this cookbook see Italy Revisited/"XXX Italian Cookbook by Antonia Isola"....Photo: Mary Melfi.

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