Seasonal Guide to Eating in Italy Eating in Italy is one of the great experiences of visiting this country. As one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, the secret of Italian food lies in its seasonal ingredients. Life in Italy …
Autogrill Surprise | Traveling the Autostrada
It’s been quite a while since Gary and I stopped at an Autogrill rest station on the autostrada (Italy’s highway). We mainly travel by train, but a recent car trip with friends to the northern part of Italy brought back …
Dario: The Man, The Legend, My Hero
Dario Cecchini In 2019 Ilene and I were introduced to a few cooking shows by our daughter Ally and her significant other Brett. There was a bigger-than-life character in all three shows. His name is Dario Cecchini. He is a …
Dried vs Fresh Pasta | Which is Better?
Most of us growing up in “non-Italian” families grew up with dried pasta. For me, it was every Friday night with fish sticks. How funny that is still a vivid memory of my childhood. Now, I can’t say the same …
What is Buccellato di Lucca? Ancient Bread Recipe
Buccellato di Lucca is from the Tuscan region and particularly – the city of Lucca. The bread is made with raisins, and it used to be the favorite of the Roman army. Shaped in the form of a ring or …
12 Things Italians Never Do
What do Italians Never do? Ahh, mamma mia… Italians never do certain things – some of it is because of tradition, while other things have to do with superstitions. This post will take a humorous look at things Italian never …
Gelato | Warning: Not All Are The Same
Gelato | Warning: Not All Are The Same There are hundreds of places for gelato in Italy. Literally, hundreds. But are all places the same for that yummy cold stuff? Gelato is an English term for ice cream made in …
How to Keep Italian Traditions Alive | Evening with Friends
Italian Traditions Italian traditions are deep-rooted in the culture of its people. Passed on by generation after generation, various traditions are sacred. Perhaps each generation makes a few changes – perhaps improvements but the basic tradition usually stands in tack. …
iL Mercato | Popular Gigantic Market | Florence, Italy
We walked past il Mercato several times on our first trip to Florence and never did find it! Even though the building is huge – perhaps a football field in length, it is hidden by the street vendors of San …
A Hugo Spritz | How is it Made?
Hugo Spritz The first time I had a Hugo Spritz (pronounced ‘Ugo’ by Italians) was when Gary and I were sitting in Piazza della Repubblica in Foligno. It was in July 2019 and the day was beautiful. When we …
Fresh Pasta | Easy to Make Homemade
Fresh pasta is easier to make than most people think. This is an easy recipe and can be used for many different types of pasta. You can freeze the dough ball itself or freeze the bundles of cut pasta in …
Making Pasta with Grandchildren | Awesome Day
Making Pasta – Fresh! During a quiet Sunday, Gary and I decided to teach our two grandchildren the art of making pasta. We have a total of nine grandchildren, but these two are lucky (giggling) that we are staying with …