The Rebirth of the Website- Back to Business

When I first started traveling I found a passion for going to markets around the world to understand how people eat, what local specialties are and what’s in season.
In 1984, when I moved here, I went to the market often to listen to how people ordered what they wanted, get some recipes and make friends.
Bonding with your butchers, bakers and fruit and vegetable vendors is essential to have the best ingredients.

Grocery stores in Italy also have beautiful products, but some have been brought in from other regions or countries, and may have been picked unripe and allowed to ripen after you buy it. The flavors really develop on the plant, so when possible, I like to shop the local farmer’s markets.

Often a beautiful ingredient can inspire a meal. I used to make a menu plan and then go shop. Now I do the opposite. I wait to see what is in season and perhaps what’s on sale. I trust my vendors to make me happy and suggest the best ingredient I can get that day and perhaps even give me a recipe.

This year as my new project for my Substack premier newsletter for members, I am taking you with me on a tour of my favorite markets in Italy. I started with Bologna in Emilia Romagna, known as La Grassa, for the rich food. Fresh pasta, prosciutto, pork products and delicious dairy products including the King of cheeses, Parmigiano.

 

Bologna has a large central market as well as these smaller stands just out on the streets. I am always drawn to how beautiful they are. Nearby are so many shops with salami’s and cheeses, many offering a dining menu as well. It’s such a lovely place to visit.

During these gray days the market brings in liquid sunshine with the wonderful citrus from Sicily and local farms. I can’t get enough.

 

Try the Sicilian Orange salad I have written about . Now is the time while oranges are at their best. We are lucky as we can get the blood oranges as well.

In Italy, it’s not common for stands to give away free tastes of food, some might have a tiny tasting board onthe counter, but always politely ask  if you may try some. Often it’s for their customers to taste a new product. Just ask…. May I? Posso? It’s always nice to learn the customs and how to act in another country. Often what I do is simply buy a tiny amount to taste, like in this foto, I asked for 100 grams of a prosciutto and we simply ate it while standing there as well as a few other wonderful local specialties. Think of it as a picnic.

It’s so hard to always have to eat out while on vacation and we often buy things to nibble on in our hotel room or apartment. Panini have exploded here in Italy for tourists. It was always a light lunch or snack. Italians don’t eat out as often Americans do, most people live close enough to home or simply have several light snacks during the day until they can get home for a real meal. There are many shops now where you can get small bites and a glass of wine, not a huge tasting board. Small bites.

 

Now that I have closed my teaching space, I often shop the market with my guests who also want to cook with me. We shop and then usually get tastings while shopping or stop for a light bite and then back to the villa or apartment they are staying in to cook.

In the new series, I am including a market guide to the city with tips on where to dine as well. Then later in the month I will be sharing a regional recipe. I think discovering new ingredients, learning new recipes are the best way to share your trip when you get home.

Look for a local cookbook in English. If you want to win friends, bring little treats from your home town and share with the people you meet here.

World Peace through food. As I wrote these words, the phrase

 “When you have more than enough, build a longer table not a higher fence ” 

Popped into my mind, but then I googled around  and found this website.  What a great idea! One pie at a time. I think sharing a table, sharing our lives and experiences brings us all closer. Travel does that too. We learn everyday how we have so much in common rather than our differences. Also how other people may prepare the same ingredients in such different ways.

It is the gift of travel.