One of the larger outdoor markets on Saturday, near my house in Certaldo, is held in Castelfiorentino, on the way to Empoli. I enjoy this market a lot. They have it divided into two sections the food section, often with live chickens ducks and other feathered friends to be raised, and the home and clothing…
Winter Shopping
While shopping for my Pumpkin soup for my Friday with Fergus I couldn’t resist the winter veggies calling my name! A woman doesn’t live by pork alone! We are getting ready for our Big Pork Blogging Weekend, have you sent us a recipe? I adore salads in the winter, and the fresh puntarelli, from the…
Florence airport closing for repairs!
Cow Parade- Florence airport Flyers beware! The Florence airport is closing for some work, and most flights will be out of Pisa now. You need to get there yourself. Pisa Airport is about 1 1/2 hours from Florence, but you only need to check in 1 1/2 hours before your flight, not considered international as…
Blessing of the Pigs
San Antonio, from an affresco in Greve in Chianti, note the small cinta senese pig, black with white belt, at his feet. Gotta love the guy! I am attending a blessing of the animals January 15th in Poggio a Caiano, outside of Florence. Please join Diva and Kate as we celebrate the feast of San…
Buona Befana
Today is when good girls and boys get a visit from the Befana.More like a kitchen witch then Santa, she came following the Re Magi, bringing gifts for the children. Today being the epiphany, she arrives… filling the hung stockings with candies and treats if you are good, and coal if you are bad! Of…
Beef is back!
Almost 4 years ago, the classic, 2 pound T-bone steak, known as the Fiorentina, was banned by the EU. It has been officially liberated and back in the market! Although I have not missed my meat, as it was always available, in a younger and smaller version. The original,from an older animal is back!Needless to…
Some Pig
As we welcome in the New Year, my mind turns to all the things I have planned for 2006.In March, my friend and fellow cooking teacher, Kate Hill of The French Kitchen in Agen and I will be presenting a panel on Pork with Fergus Henderson of St. John’s in London, the man whose book,…
New Year.. New Dreams
We didn’t have a White Christmas, but we are having a White New Year’s! Florence was dusted with a blanket of snow, enough to stop quite a bit of traffic and leave many people on foot. Truly a Silent Night! Looking out the window onto the Central Market was like a scene from a dream..and…