The discovery of America also included the discovery of zucchini. As of June, zucchini are abundant in every Italian summertime garden and will star in risotto, pasta dishes, main courses, antipasti and side…
Patron saint and early Christian martyr, Santa Cristina reigns in Bolsena – and in unexpected ways. You’ll want to wander through the Basilica di Santa Cristina, finding the early Christian catacombs, remains of…
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:…
As summer rolls around, we’ll spend many a week-end at Bolsena on Lake Bolsena. Bolsena’s medieval castle Lake Bolsena And no week-end is complete without a lakefish feast at Trattoria Da Picchietto…
After you explore Tuscan gem Siena, do detour to take in the Etruscan and Roman wonders of medieval Tuscan hilltown, Volterra. On a recent blustery, biting January day, just a few bundled-up…
What better way to experience Italy than to know the artisans? Join us in Deruta to meet “an artisan duo”: creators of maiolica masterpieces and culinary artist, farm friend Giuseppa. Kara and…
Near Montepulciano in the small southern Tuscan town of Acquaviva, don’t miss lunch at Ristorante/Pizzeria L’Angolo. Before lunch, the butcher shop around the corner is worth a stop. Pino had been there…
Pino and I knew that garlic (“aglio”) highlighted the tangy tomato sauce for a favorite southern Tuscan pasta favorite, pici all’aglione, but now we know that not just any garlic will do.…
On these biting December days, our wood stove warms our Assisi farmhouse and the hot wood stove oven often tempts me into trying new dishes. Here’s one we enjoyed yesterday: Lemon Zest…
An icy December day for a visit with the Segal family to Deruta – but mamma mia, that open-armed welcome of Giuseppa warmed us up. As did her homemade pasta topped with…