Arosticini: A Taste of Abruzzo in America
Tom Conte is transforming meat, bringing a slice of Italian tradition to barbecues this summer.
In East Meadow, he’s created Dadozzo, specializing in Arosticini—those delicious skewers that remind him of home. “I grew up with something like this,” he said, reflecting on his connection to the culinary craft.
Conte pointed out that while many Italian immigrants hail from Campania and Sicily, those from Abruzzo are less common, resulting in a scarcity of Arosticini in the area.
At 42, Tom, who spent his life in the restaurant industry, decided to leap into his own venture in 2017. Drawing from a recipe passed down by his father, who immigrated from Abruzzo at 18, he has been serving these skewers grilled on wooden sticks for years.
“It’s the most typical barbecue in Abruzzo,” he explained. “Whenever you’re there, it’s part of the experience.”
Conte shared a secret to make these skewers even more satisfying: “Five sticks is usually enough,” he said, mentioning that in his home region, restaurants often serve them with just bread and olive oil.
“We keep it simple,” he added. “Just some sea salt on the grill, and that’s it. No sauce, no marinade—nothing else.”
The fat between the meat melts while grilling, giving it a unique buttery flavor. Conte has taken his culinary creations to food festivals along the East Coast, and even as far as Hawaii and Venezuela. He mentioned that Stanley Tucci recently highlighted Arosticini in an episode of his show “Tucci in Italy,” which led to an influx of inquiries and orders from eager fans.
Recently, things have been thriving so well that Conte moved from Westbury to a larger facility in Farmingdale.
Educational Grilling Experiences
Before the move, he noticed customers were easily drawn to Arosticini, particularly due to the irresistible aroma wafting from the grill.
Not only have people been buying meat in bulk—often in packs of 26—they’re also ordering Fornacella Grills and terracotta jars to keep the skewers warm.
Conte mentioned a loyal customer from New Jersey who has three grills and a weekly supply, which is quite the commitment. Interestingly, the chicken skewers have found a fanbase in the Chinese community, with some shoppers adding their own Asian spices.
Even at home, Conte’s kids are excited about his grilling, and he joked about how his neighbor often appears, drawn by the mouthwatering scents permeating during barbecues.
“I’m sharing the wealth,” he laughed.
He uses wood chips with a special Fornacera for grilling, though Arosticini can be easily prepared on a regular Weber or any standard grill—perfect for those looking to try something new this summer.
Conte is confident that customers will understand the appeal after the first bite, saying, “You’ll realize it— and you might just lose your words.”
