Returning from Sicily where the temperatures were still hot, Tuscany was a little cooler and fall is starting to show it’s colors. The wine harvest has started and the roads are full of trucks bringing grapes to be crushed. The roads are stained with grape juice and the fragrance fills the air. …
Bless this Kitchen- San Lorenzo
August 10th is the feast day of San Lorenzo, he is considered patron saint of cooks as well as the poor and librarians. He was grilled alive so is depicted with a grill by his side and often holding a book, as he had protected the written documents of the church. I have a collection…
Saffron Sausage Pasta- Simply Divina
I am the queen of quick. When it is time for lunch, my husband wants to eat. In the time it takes to boil water, you can have a fabulous sauce ready at the same time. One of my first jobs in Italy was waitressing, as kitchens were small, not a huge staff was needed…
Celebrate: San Giuseppe March 19
I adore celebrations, especially in Italy as that means some special food is always being prepared. San Giuseppe, St Joseph’s day in Italy is especially important as it is Father’s Day (St Joseph, married to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus’ Dad).Can you tell I went to Catholic school for 14 years? One of my favorite…
Festivals {Viareggio Carnivale}
Italy is fabulous at festivals and some are totally worth planning a trip around. You do risk some bad weather, but, it is the best. My nephew was here for two weeks for a full immersion in food and festivals. We planned the trip around the Viareggio Carnivale celebrations, which are on the 4 Sundays…
Ivana’s Bread Bakery- Edible Florence
For 20 years I lived just in front of the Mercato Centrale in Florence. What a blessing. Such a choice for ingredients and shopping. In front of the market, hidden behind the stands selling leather, is one of my favorite bakeries in the area, Forno Ivana. Tuscany is famous for the saltless bread, which for…
Trattoria Mario’s Ribollita
Trattoria Mario’s is a home away from home for almost all the students that come to the study abroad programs in Florence. This tiny family trattoria began as a fiaschetteria 4 generations ago. These small family trattorias, passed from one generation to another, are national treasures.In 2013, they celebrated 60 years of their opening. I…
Leo’s Artichokes
I adore shopping at Leo Piazzesi’s stand in the Mercato Centrale. He carries only a few products, all displayed as if at Tiffany’s, each tomato shining, melons cut open for tasting, their profume calling out “Assaggiami…taste me” and the season’s best. Right now, I go to Leo for carciofi, artichokes, layed out like rare flowers on…