My favorite “Cook This Now!” story of 2025 wasn’t just a recipe; it was a perfect, sensory memory built in the kitchen of Linda Zavatto on Shelter Island (yes indeed, she’s related to Southforker’s editor-in-chief Amy Zavatto — it’s her big sister!).
There was something deeply resonant about documenting her simple, flawless sugar cookie—a recipe she adapted from her mother’s 1975 Betty Crocker Cookbook, slightly tweaked to “overflow the half teaspoon” of almond extract. While we originally ran it for Valentine’s Day, those heart-shaped treats, half-dipped in dark chocolate and baked with such care, are actually the most essential addition to any holiday cookie tray. They capture the spirit of Scandinavian design, where the heart is a timeless symbol of love, unity, and connection to heritage. Being welcomed into Linda’s home, sharing the charming story of her baking for older adults on the island and, yes, getting to take a few of those flawless confections home with me, made it the story that best captured the true spirit of giving.
