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The journey continues...

How to live like an Italian

Live like an Italian”, was Dina’s advice when I lamented that hadn’t visited Italy that summer. I missed the place, the people, the Italian ways. I’ve reflected on her words, on how I could live like an Italian, especially when I’m not in bel paese.

How do you live like an Italian when you’re not in Italy?

Is it about the food . . .the language . . .the culture . . . family? Maybe it’s the way you behave  — in Italian it’s called Il Galateo. Perhaps it’s about traditions and rituals.

I asked some friends if they live like Italians.
“Of course!” was the chorus.

But what did it mean to them to live like Italians?

Food and family topped the list. Not surprising! When we think of Italy there is an immediate association with food. It defines what it means to be Italian no matter where in the world they live.

 

food, family and friends
Food, family and friends

For Italians however, food means more than just filling stomachs. Food and food practices have important roles within the family — through food preparation rituals, traditional family gatherings, and celebrations.

And for Italian Australians, especially the generation that emigrated in the 1950s, the traditions and rituals of the past continue, as do the values of family and culture which they brought with them all those years ago. In some ways, they are more Italian than the Italians!

So I’ve decided to live like an Italian this summer.

Preparing an Italian dinner
Preparation for an Italian dinner

Of course it’s about the food. But it will also include growing the fruit and vegetables, recipes and cooking, rituals like enjoying an aperitivo in the evenings, making the sugo, and gathering family and friends together, books, Italian language and cultural activities.

making pasta
Food prep, Italian style

It’s going to be an Italian summer in Australia and I am going to live like an Italian. Perhaps I’ll start my own traditions.

Buone tradizioni! 

 

 

PS: Do you have rituals and traditions in your family that have endured over time?

Rediscovering the Italian language mojo

Portofino, a place to find your Italian mojo
Portofino, on the Italian Riviera

Lately, my Italian books have sat unopened on my side table, my grammar texts have gathered dust on the bookshelf and my Italian language skills have languished from disuse. It’s a familiar story for those of us who put in time and effort to learn a language, but through lack of practice, we slowly forget.

It’s six months since my last visit to Italia and I needed a catalyst to get the motor running again. I googled ‘Italian conversation Adelaide’ and found this thing called a Meetup for Italian conversation.

I signed up.

On Sunday at an Italian cafe, we were a group of nine. Some people didn’t speak any Italian, some, a few words, and a few had a good grasp of the language. We chatted in Italian (and some English) for just over an hour. And to my surprise, I was forming the words, speaking Italian without inhibition, without worrying about which word should come next, participating in the conversation.

A great feeling!

Gutsy, I say to those who didn’t have any knowledge of the language. I couldn’t have done it. And I question the value of joining a conversation group if you can’t participate. After all, a conversation requires you to speak as well as listen.

It’s been a challenge to find like-minded souls to with whom to practice Italian in Adelaide. Rediscovering and shaking the dust off my Italian language skills has renewed my enthusiasm. I look forward to another chiacchiarata in a fortnight.

I think I’ve rediscovered the Italian language mojo!

Alla prossima  (’til next time)

Early spring vegetables and fruit in Italy

Spring vegetables

Spring vegetables are being harvested almost 20 days earlier than usual. Coldiretti, the National Confederation of Farmers (and the leading agricultural association in Italy) says it’s due to Italy having recorded the second warmest winter in two centuries. The mild winter has resulted in the early maturity of many fruits and vegetables.

Asparagus crops for example, have been harvested more than a month in advance in the Veneto region. In Puglia, beans, tomatoes and peas are ripe and strawberries and artichokes have been sent to market from the Campagnia region weeks in advance.

If you’re living like a local, you’ll be asking your local greengrocer (fruttivendolo) for some of these seasonal fruit and vegetables (in Italian of course!):

  •  un mazzo di asparagi  (a bunch of asparagus)
  •  un kilo di fave  (a kilogram of broad beans), the first beans of the season, crunchy and delicious!
  •  sei carciofi (six artichokes)
  •  un kilo di pomodori  (a kilogram of tomatoes)
  •  un cestino di  fragole (a punnet of strawberries)
  •  quattro kiwi (four kiwi fruits)

A simple, tasty recipe for asparagus

  1. Steam  a bunch of asparagus for a few minutes until cooked
    but still crunchy
  2. Toss cooked asparagus in some extra virgin olive oil
  3. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper
  4. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese

 

artichokes
Artichokes, a delicious early spring vegetable

I’ve never cooked them, but artichokes are a favourite in italian cooking. They need to be cleaned well before cooking.

You’ll find a great step-by-step guide to prepare artichokes for cooking, including pictures here. And for a simple but delicious recipe of Braised artichokes head to  Stefano de Pieri’s website.

Oh, and when you’re at the fruttivendolo, don’t forget to ask for a head of garlic and a few baby onions (una testa d’aglio e qualche cipolline) and you’ll have the makings for a delicious pasta sauce.

Buona spesa  (Happy shopping)
Colleen

 

Merry Christmas e Buon Natale from Italia!

Merry christmas to everyone from Italy!

Bolzano Christmas
 

Isabella - seeing the snow for the first time

Have a joyous christmas with your loved ones! Wishing you peace and happiness for the festive season.

Tanti auguri! 

Colleen

 

 

 

 

Christmas celebrations Italian style

Christmas table setting

My first christmas in Italy and what a celebration! In fact, two days of it. Christmas eve  (vigilia di Natale) with my dear friend Emi and her wonderful family, including i nonni. Christmas day  (il giorno di Natale) with my other special friends Rosa and Roberto and their families.

After a few days of pre-christmas frenzied activity—the Italians are as crazy as we are when it comes to food preparation, gift buying and last minute catching up to wish each other for the festive season—it’s all about the food… and family… and gifts.

A typical christmas menu

Antipasti

Served with different types of bread and foccacia

  • carciofi  artichokes
  • melanzane picante & ripieni eggplant
  • peperoncini capsicum
  • insalata russa potato salad, including finely chopped vegetables, boiled eggs and mayonnaise
  • acchiughe anchovies
  • frittelle  di baccala battered and fried fish

Primi piatti

gnocchi al pesto
Gnocchi al pesto
  • i pansotti stuffed pasta
  • i ravioli al tocco
  • le lasagne al pesto
  • i gnocchi al pesto

Secondi

Stoccafisso
Stoccafisso – loving made by Rosa
  • la carne arrosto roasted lamb or beef
  • stoccafisso alla Genovese stew made with stockfish or cod

I  dolci

Panettone Genovese
Panettone Genovese
Meringa con crema allo zabaione
Meringa con crema alla zabaione
  • panettone Genovese delicious christmas cake baked with dried fruit
  • meringa con crema alla zabaione a featherlight meringue with a creamy filling made with eggs and marsala

I confess that over the two days I ate everything on the menu and more, for research purposes (well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

Buon appetito! 

Colleen

Christmas markets in Italy

Italians love celebrations and christmas is a big one! They are out and about buying gifts and christmas ornaments, christmas trees and beautiful wreaths and trimmings.

Christmas markets italy

Christmas markets are  very popular, especially in towns like Bolzano where the mercatino di natale attracts crowds of people. The stalls (bancarelle) sell mostly handmade ornaments and gifts and everything is beautifully decorated.

Christmas markets in Bolzano sell mostly handmade christmas ornaments
Christmas markets in Bolzano sell mostly handmade christmas ornaments
Sunset, al mercatino di natale, Bolzano
Sunset al mercatino di natale, Bolzano
Beautiful decorations at the Christmas markets, Bolzano
Beautiful decorations at the Christmas markets, Bolzano at night

The german style christmas market in Piazza dei Signori (commonly called Piazza Dante) in Verona sells handmade items and german specialty foodstuffs. On a cold night you can sip vin brulé, eat wurst and specialty breads while the children visit babbo natale to whisper their christmas wishes.

Christmas markets, Piazza dei Signori, VeronaC

Christmas markets, Piazza dei Signori, Verona

Christmas market stall, Verona
Sip vin brulé at a christmas market stall, Verona
Freshly baked artisan breads
Freshly baked artisan breads
Christmas market stall selling wooden utensils and cooking implements
Christmas market stall selling wooden utensils and cooking implements

Buon natale! 

Colleen

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