On one of our meanders on the island of Elba, we followed twisting roads skirting wooded mountains, ending up in the tiny port town of Rio Marina on the eastern side of…
Destination for late August seaside break? The island of Elba, off the Tuscan coast. Afternoon ferry ticket purchased at the port city of Piombino, we were ready for our first seafood lunch…
Snails are served up not at the proverbial “snail’s pace” but with zip and verve by the earnest young wait staff at the August food festival near Bevagna starring snails, la Sagra…
If you blink, you might drive right past Castagnoli (pop. not more than 70), tiny frazione of Gaiole in Chianti. You might also be distracted by the sweeping panoramas of vineyards and…
The scorching heat – daily temperatures over 40 C (well over 100 F ) – blistering central and southern Italy for all July and much of August has broiled our vegetable garden.…
When in central Italy from spring to late fall, you can’t miss feasting with the “locals” at a sagra (village food festival of local specialties cooked and served up by local volunteers).…
Bell peppers are in the garden now so la peperonata often adds flashy, bright colors – and perky Sicilian flavors- to summer dinners. I remember asking my husband Pino years ago what…
Prefer your “flag” with eggs or without? Clearly, I can’t be referring to that pennant you solemnly salute with hands over heart (perhaps?). This “flag,” that Umbrian tri-colored vegetable dish, la bandiera…
La Spezia, Liguria (see map) – As we pushed open the osteria‘s dark green wooden door, lace curtains on the windows, our spezzina friend Monia asked us, “Ever eaten in a seafood…
Back in our “farming years,” we’d ride our old Gilera motorcycle to nearby Bettona for peach-picking in July. I’d rather hoe corn, muck the pig stalls or even help on the haying…