When I found fresh broccili rape,called friarelli in naples, at the weekly market in Certaldo on Saturday, I had to buy it. Fresh from the farm, so filled with flavor. Most people who don’t even like greens, love the twice-cooked technique used in Italy, even kids! Today I added raisins and toasted pinenuts. Then I…
My favorite side dish!
When you are planning your BBQ for the 4th of July or the next summer party, try making these sweet and sour onions as a side dish and stand back and receive the compliments! Tiny pearl onions are cooked in an infusion of water with sugar and vinegar. I like to add a little chili…
Celebrating the Season- Summer Soltice
A sure sign summer has arrived is the appearance of sun-ripened tomatoes to make Pomarola, simple tomato sauce. To celebrate, yesterday I picked up my first kilo of Fiorentini, a local heirloom tomato for sauce. The best flavor and consistency for sauce comes from these kind of tomatoes. One does not make sauce from salad…
June 24th- St John the Baptist- Florence’s Patron Saint
There is nothing like being in an Italian town when it is celebrating.Florence’s patron saint, John the Baptist, is celebrated June 24th. Here is a small taste of the parade! It is also when we make Nocino, with unripe green walnuts. So now that I am living in the countryside- I will gather my walnuts,…
Bite-size Meatloafs: Polpettine
In the 25 years I have been living in Italy, I have NEVER seen spaghetti and meatballs served anywhere. In Tuscany we have polpettine, small meatloaves, Polpettone being a meatloaf: the ini ending means small and one– big! Summer’s heat requires light foods and things which taste good at room temperature as well as cold….
Edible Tuscany- REAL BREAD
another beautiful day in Tuscany The most fabulous part about living in Tuscany for so long, is that when plans go wrong, you can always come up with a great back-up plan as there is so much to do everywhere. Today we were supposed to meet a friend at a flea market, which he had…
Italian way to cool down
caffe shakerato, I asked for milk in mine When the temps rise here in Italy, the land that frowns on air-conditioning…. there are several ways to beat the heat. One of course is to get thee to a gelato shop NOW! There is one in almost every neighborhood, I suggest ordering the smallest size and…
Trapani and the West Coast Tour
Sometimes I have to travel for work, I know, it is tough living in Italy. We all make choices for the life we have. This is mine. I have always spent the small amount of money I have for travel- now I have a little more than when I was younger, but still am frugal….