life + famiglia

With the events of last weekend,  a wave of sadness & fear have crashed over Italy as a sinister bombing in Brindisi killed a sixteen year old female student and just a day later a 6.0 earthquake struck the cheese making region of Emilia Romagna killing six, injuring dozens and leaving rubble in its wake.

Considering these tragic events, I'm not able to do a culinary indulgent post rather one about the people & moments that've touched me, & I won't forget....

Eataly {Torino}

My host, Paolo mentioned a few points of interest during my stay in his remarkable city and Eataly was on that list!  I've visited Eataly in New York City and was so impressed by the grandeur of the space with vibrant restaurants, specialized counters dedicated to fish, meat, pizza + pasta, panini, gelato & espresso and the ultra huge marketplace with specialty items to die for!

Focacceria {Torino}

Italy is full of wonderful tomatoes at this time of the year.  I wander through the open market place and am enthralled by these bright red fruits, yes fruits, and Torino is overflowing with them...

Porta Palazzo Market

I must say, Torino is ultra charming, sophisticated and curiously elegant.  Here, you can find the focacceria - what a concept!

Love Affair {with Roma}

My heart is captured.  The Eternal City is a thief in the night with all her perfectly lit monuments, balmy evening strolls {passeggiata} with lovely Roman people, the constant hum of motorini, stoic ruins, men that sing out to me in the narrow porfido walkways & the always inviting open doorways - she has stamped an indelible imprint on my heart & soul {sul mio cuore e l'anima}.


"See Roma and die". Is the old saying...

Sulmona Mercato {Let's go shopping!}

My morning starts with breakfast in the courtyard, checking e-mails and going over plans with my cousin(s) for the day.  Davide always makes the best cappuccino con latte di soya (with soy milk), and puts together a great tray of g-free goodies!  And, his mother-in-law Franca gave me the recipe to bake Amaretti cookies (left) - made with almond flour - yummy!

This morning, I'm going to Conad, the local supermerato to do a bit of shopping,  and to the outdoor mercato in Piazza Garibaldi.  Andiamo!

Pioppo snow {Springtime in the mountains}

Sulmona is such a wonderful little gem in the mountains.  A beautiful sight during springtime in Italy is walking down the cobblestone streets and noticing all the Pioppo snow in the air, these trees release mass amounts of pollen that float through the air and cause havoc among us sensitive people.  I've been trying to capture these little balls of pollen on film...this is Piazza Garibaldi, a view from the balcony:

The Road to Abruzzo! {Hang-on to your halo!}

Yesterday, I left Rome behind and made the journey to the homeland of my ancestors: Abruzzo.

Tranquillo lunch in Monteverde Vecchio {il Cortile}

I took a stroll around the corner from Casa Marrese for a relaxing lunch at an old favorite haunt of mine, Ristorante il Cortile.

Today, the carabienere were on horse back, there's a funeral.

Springtime in the city...

Spring is upon the city.  It started to regress this morning and sprinkled a bit, but the sun wants to shine. It's a beautiful sight as the clouds part and the Romans step outside with jackets in hand for passiagiata.

I'm sitting at the neighborhood caffe after eating a copetta of gelato in three flavors fragola di crema limone, coco, & my ultimate favorite: Indispensabile (pistachio's, cherries, & croccante di pistacchio -that's crushed candied pistachio's), need I say anymore?  

I can actually feel my waist expanding.  I took a long walk after lunch, in hopes of burning off some of the calories.

Yesterday, I went to the supermercato and bought some g-free items to keep in the casa's pantry:

Scotti brand has a few great items - so tasty! I can honestly say that because two Romans (tough customers) gave me the thumbs up when I served them pasta w/pesto - we were all impressed by the rice pasta.  There's even g-free focaccia - la la la la la!

Now, let's talk carciofi.  So, here comes the carciofi porn:

You can buy it at the outdoor market, at the mercato in the center of Rome, at roadside stands & here in Monteverde, it's everywhere to my delight! Eaten daily by me - love eating seasonal veggies.

I'm smitten.

Now, I'm off to a seaside village called Anzio for a get together with some dear old friends.


A presto!