Chapter 8 – DiNozzo Specialties 2025

"I present to you, ladies and gentlemen, the masterpiece… spaghetti a la DiNozzo," Tony placed the large pot of sauce (gravy if he was true to his family heritage and to keep Aunt Isabella from twisting his ear) on the table with a flourish. Two large bowls of pasta were already on the table with baskets of crusty garlic bread fresh from the oven.

Ziva rolled her eyes at Delilah and Tim chuckled; Tony never failed to entertain when he made spaghetti. He always made a big deal of his presentation to the family dinner table.

"So, Abba, when are you going to share the secret recipe?" Anthony quipped as he did occasionally when his father made the meal.

"When I am old enough to know better and young enough not to care," the elder DiNozzo retorted.

Tali turned to her Aunt Delilah, "In other words, never!" She turned to her father, "You know, Abba, if you never share your recipe with any of us, it won't be a family tradition any longer. We can't pass on what we don't have."

"Tali has a point," Ziva joked as she placed her hand over her husband's. "At some point you will have to share your recipe with at least one of the children…"

John grinned at his Uncle Tony as he passed his plate for sauce over his pasta, "You could also share it with me!"

"If and only if you are family, kid."

Tony ladled the sauce over pasta for each person, serving Ziva and then himself last. "What I will tell is some of the ingredients; pay attention, DiNozzos… You may very well get the entire secret recipe in bits and pieces over the years as I see fit."

"Do I need to write this down?" Tali questioned her Abba.

Tony flashed a DiNozzo grin at his daughter, "If you want… first you have to get fresh tomatoes. Romas are best; very few seeds and lots of pulp. You need spices, preferably fresh ones. And freshly ground beef; ground sirloin is best. Freshly made bulk Italian sausage without the casing adds some extra flavor. Beef broth, water, fresh garlic, onions, mushrooms, and ripe olives. That is all."

"Wait, Abba, how much of each?" Anthony really wanted to know more details as he watched Tali write the ingredients their father listed on a piece of paper.

"That, my boy, is for another time…" Tony flashed a mischievous grin at his son. "For now, eat and enjoy."

LJ passed his dish to his Abba, "I want more, please!"

"Me too!" Rivka, Beth, John, and Anthony all spoke together.

"Me three," Tim added with a smile. "And don't worry Tali, I got it all recorded on my phone for you to make sure you have all the ingredients. Someone has to make sure we will be able to enjoy this when your dad is no longer with us."

Tony glared at his brother of the heart, "What if I outlive you, McKilljoy?"

Tim gulped, "Not likely, but…" Tony and Ziva both laughed at the 'deer in the headlights' look on his face.

"Tim will die of foot in mouth first!" Delilah joked to the laughs of the adults. "I'd like more also, please." She passed her plate to get more sauce and high-fived with Ziva.