Throughout Italy, the elegant majesty of rows of the pinus pinea – “umbrella pines” – hghlights lakeside paths, and many a country road:
Here and there, loan pini seem like stalwart soldiers, often bent against the wind:
On the ground below the tree, you might find the pine cones hiding the treasured pinoli (pine nuts):
…and that pine cone is often featured in family coats-of-arms and might adorn a villa entrance:
Pinenuts enhance many a mediterrranean recipe and here is one of our family favorites: pasta al cavolfiore:
Click here for the recipe
Click here for another recipe starring pinenuts
Italy wouldn’t be Italy without the umbrella pines!!! Love them and their nuts.