Peppa might not know that cicerchie (translated as “chicklings” or “pulses”) were cultivated in Mesoptamia as early as 8000 BC or that this legume is now recognized officially by the Ministry of…
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There’s no more memorable “Umbrian experience” than lunch with our farm friends, Chiarina and Marino. Just about everything on the table comes from their labors on the land: from the wine to…
If you’re a “foodie” visiting Umbria, you can’t miss a dinner of rural goodness with our farm friend, Peppa – and if you’re lucky, learn to make the Umbrian hearth bread la torta…
Pici all’aglione (thick spaghetti in a garlicky tomato sauce) with arugula is one of our favorite dishes at Ristorante Da Forcillo in Sinalunga, just over the border in southern Tuscany – and…
After we’ve explored Assisi’s treasure, the Basilica of St. Francis, come out to the countryside with me to connect with other Umbrian treasures: our farm friends. Our rural neighbors taught us everything…
On a recent jaunt, two Giuseppes connected: one is my husband Pino (in southern Italy, “Giuseppino” is the diminutive of “Joseph”) and the other is Beppe, last miller of Tuscany. (Other diminutives…
These days, yellow and white banners – the colors of the Vatican flag – flutter off balconies and over pointed-arched medieval doorways cheerily blending with the vases of red geraniums hanging on…
On October 3rd – date of the death of St. Francis of Assisi in 1226 – hundreds of African and Syrian refugees tragically died, too, drowning close to the coast of the…
Excitement peaking in Assisi for Pope Francis’ arrival on October 4th for the Feast of St. Francis – and each day, the Umbrian newspapers leak news tidbits on the “surprises” under preparation…
I wish I had taken photos of Concetta but I still remember the twinkle in her eye, the way she cocked her head when recounting her stories. In a recent visit to…