When I tell the story of how I came to Florence and fell in love, first with Florence and then with a Florentine-( my now husband, Andrea), I probably should also mention the other Florentine in my life. The Steak, called Bistecca alla Fiorentina- the larger than life T-bone steak Florence is famous for. Did…
Home on the Range- Maremma
I had a couple of days off and my husband worked so hard moving me while I was in America, I wanted us to have a little get-away. The weather had finally cleared up and spring was in full bloom, so we decided to head for the beach. How to choose which beach? We could…
Pancetta Progress- Charcutepalooza
You know you are living in the right place when a sign like this is at the exit of the grocery store, to make sure you know about it. At the Meat Counter you can reserve your pork for salting. The cool air in January is perfect for families to age their own cured pork…
Cooking Cardoons- Marisa’s Polpette
From emails I get from my blog readers and on FB, I see cardoons are getting easier to find in America. Cardoons are cousins with artichokes, looking more like celery, but tasting like artichoke hearts. What’s not to love? When I was at Paola’s,my ortolana (vegetable vendor), in town; she had huge fabulous long cardoons…
The Most Splendid of Seasons- Fall
We were blessed with incredible weather this week in Chianti for our session, even the full moon did it’s part as we enjoyed it in San Gimignano sitting in the main square having pizza and gelato. Most of the grape harvest is done now and the olive harvest is beginning. I live next door to…
More Zucchini Ideas
Why is it that zucchini’s are so prolific? Luckily in Italy, they have more zucchini ideas to use up the gut from the garden. Yesterday’s zucchini from the garden were a mixed batch. Some just blossoms and one lovely HUGE blossom with the tiny zucchini still attached. My first fried zucchini blossom was served like…
Summer is Here
To me, the first sign that summer has arrived is a craving for a big dish of Tuscan Panzanella. A celebration of summer made with fresh sweet red onions, ripe tomatoes and cucumbers with crumbled bread and basil. An edible Italian flag, red, white and green. It is seasoned with rich unfiltered Tuscan olive oil, tart…
I Adore September
September 1984- the month my life changed I wanted to title this blog post I HATE AUGUST- but decided to look on the bright side! In Italy, if anything can go wrong it will in August, when everyone one is on vacation and nothing gets done. I had paperwork in process with the Italian government…