Life in Italy is a love-hate thing. I admit to being seduced by Tuscany’s magical golden light, besotted by the Renaissance, tantalized by Sicily’s sensuous pastry shops, charmed by the Italian language and then quickly disenchanted by the brutal reality of getting almost anything done. I’ve suffered heartless years of waiting for an insurance claim, submitted to diabolical rules for getting a driving license, and wept broken-hearted sobs when the plumber never called back. The tempting dream to live in Italy may sound like a romantic endeavor, but it helps to be nuts.
Posted In: Italian Food Traditions & Recipes, Stories of Life in Tuscany & Sicily
In the midst of trendy cookbooks about Tuscany, Cucina Povera by Pamela Sheldon Johns stands out as being the genuine article, with authentic recipes of Tuscan peasant cooking and personal anecdotes based on the author’s experience living in Tuscany. Ricotta cake recipe included.
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The trials and tribulations of making the perfect latte di mandorla, with this traditional almond milk recipe from Sicily.
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The almond harvest in Sicily at the Mastri di San Basilio farm takes place at the height of summer. Join Anita as she ventures into the August heat in search of pizzuta almonds fresh off the tree.
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When the hot summer is in full swing, capers spring to life. Follow an Italian food tradtion and learn how to pick and preserve capers in salt.
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Sciroppo di amarene is a tart cherry syrup made from sour cherries and makes a refreshing summertime drink. Traditional in Italy as a beverage or to flavor a grattachecca snow cone.
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When sour cherries are plentiful, try making a simple rustic cake with the added crunch of almonds. Name it torta di amarene con mandorle and you’ve got yourself an Italian dessert. Here’s the recipe.
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Small heirloom apples grown on the slopes of the Mt Etna volcano in Sicily, are delicious on their own or try them in this Italian apple cake recipe.
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Italians who travel to another town to visit family in Italy feel compelled to bring samples of the best of their regional food, exchanging it for local specialties to bring back home. I’ve lived on the family trade route between sausages, olive oil and gorgonzola.
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Italian traditions indicate which flowers are appropriate on certain occasions – avoid giving the gift of death, a no-no in the Italian culture.
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A simple recipe for how to cure green olives that does not require daily attention.
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Autumn wildflowers in Italy include the magical mandrake plant, said to have mysterious powers.
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A visit to a carob mill when the carob harvest is in full swing in eastern Sicily, and time to contemplate the food culture of Italy during a walk among magnificent carob trees.
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