With the summer heat , we are celebrating the wonderful produce of the season. The first fabulous Florentine tomatoes are ready to be made into sauce. Although my Florentine husband, Andrea, says August is really the month for tomatoes, I can’t wait! I won’t be buying kilo’s of tomatoes to prepare for sauce until August,…
Leo’s Artichokes
For years, the central market, San Lorenzo, was my home away from home. I was there daily, shopping and picking up recipes from the vendors and when I could, eavesdropping on the people while they shopped, listening to how they ordered, what they ordered and how they were going to cook it. Normally when you…
Perle ai Porci
I adore old sayings in Italy. Many have similar sayings in English. In the bible, Jesus, at the sermon on the mount, says ” Don’t cast your pearls before swine”.Italians say ” Non dare le perle ai porci”. Actually I adore the idea of pigs wearing pearls. The image tickles me. This has always…
Metello
My neighbor Metello and his San Giovese Today is the beginning of the vendemmia. All my neighbors have been giving me grapes, seems to be a competition on who’s are the best. My real next door neighbors. Vasco and Donatella, gave me some fabulous table grapes. Metello, who sold me his aunt’s house, took time…
Summer in Chianti-Pesce Finto
Summer in chianti… Off to Londa.. above Pontesieve, to take a class in mask making..feeding the soul! I am making pesce finto, “fake fish” to take, it is a cold potato salad, with tuna and capers. I learned this from my Mother-in-law, Tina Barchielli, another old recipe which is almost impossible to find in local trattoria’s…
Death by Chocolate
This year went by so fast and got a little out of control. I was luckily very busy this fall, making up for the lack of work due to Sadam and SARS. But the summer heat ( record in 300 years!) also made my computers crazy and impossible to BLOG. I have finally caught up…
Ferragosto- August summer festivals
August 15th is a biggie in Italy. If you are not already on vacation, you will be! In anticipation, my food guru Dario Cecchini threw a big party for 1,000 of his closest friends. He created a new holiday the Festa del Nocciolo, the hazelnut tree party. Of course, August 15th is a big religious…
Too much Tuscan Sun!
When there is too much of the Tuscan Sun, it feels like we are being grilled. It is the feast day of San Lorenzo, St Lawrence, the patron saint of the Central Market in Florence. San Lorenzo, patron saint of cook.He was martyred by being grilled to death, that is a grill in his hand.I…