The third Sunday of the month is the wonderful flea market in Siena. It is one of my favorites. Located in the old market piazza behind the Torre di Mangia( city hall) it is easy to find. The covered market ( called the Tartaruga, turtle) has great prices and a huge variety of goods; linens,…
Spring is in the Air
Light showers and sun have brought spring to my house.The first violets, called mammole, are just starting to bloom as well as the iris. As winter slips away and spring enters, salads call my name! The lack of sun in winter is counterbalanced by the arrival of oranges from Sicily.Tarocchi are the blood oranges from…
Pork Report
I was saddened when in early January, I drove by my neighbors farm and didn’t see the pigs anymore. I was so excited to see the real Nose to Tail celebration and document it.In past years, I have driven by when the Norcino is there, and they set up a big wooden table outside for…
Not so Slow!
I have been on a not so Slow food trip! I attended Gourmet Voice in Cannes,with my friends Kate, Tricia and Rosa.It was a great conference and very international. You can read more about it on the Gourmet Voice site, Clotide of Chocolate and Zucchini was the official Blog! Check out this truffled soup at…
Lunch… pigging out.. OUT
Well, I have to admit.. I need a break from cooking, so while running errands today, we decided to treat ourselves to a lovely lunch out at our favorite truckstop. Everyone knows you eat well where there are trucks parked outside, but in Italy it takes on new meaning!La Zambra, located on the road from…
Bless this Grub!
We headed out early today, to find the Blessing of the Animals, held to celebrate San Antonio Abate, patron saint of animals. Kate and I are holding a blogging event this weekend. Celebrating the Pig! San Antonio is always pictured with a small pig at his feet, and often other barnyard animals near by. The…
Market day- Saturday Castelfiorentino (FI)
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…
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…