Castelluccio: Earthquakes and Lentils

Cultivated at nearly 1500 m on the vast Piano Grande (“Great Plain”), the famous tiny lenticchie di Castelluccio (Castelluccio lentils) cook quickly due to their thin, tender hull. [lcaption]Lentils in flower on the Piano Grande[/lcaption] [lcaption]Tender, small lenticchie di Castelluccio[/lcaption] I used our last packet of Castelluccio lentils yesterday for una zuppa di lenticchie. Before…

That Culinary Passione of the Marches Region Revisited

Nineteen-year-old Massimiliano joins with his father and brother Alessandro in carrying on with passione the Marches region culinary traditions of his grandmother, Nonna Anna Rita. [lcaption]In the family restaurant, young Massimiliano proudly shows us an article on his Nonna.[/lcaption] Now nearly seventy and no longer ruling the kitchen, Signora Anna Rita – called affectionately by…

From Colorado to the Assisi Countryside

Shannon and Alison, we’ve toured together all over Umbria (years ago), cooked together in Colorado (more than once!) and wonderful to have you and Flynnie and Gabriel here with us in our Assisi apartment this summer. [lcaption]Our apartment behind our farmhouse all ready to welcome you[/lcaption] [lcaption]……and outside, sunflower glory all around[/lcaption] [lcaption]Dinner in our…