Emilia-Romagna lies along the northern slopes of the Appennino Settentrionale (The Central Apennines). Geographically and gastronomically, this is the heart of Italy. Its cities, strung along the A1 Autostrada to the northwest and the A14 to the southeast, have named some of the most famous foods associated with Italian cuisine: Parma its ham and cheese; Modena its vinegar; Bologna its cured meats. Perfectly situated between north and south, bordered by Milan’s Lombardia and Venice’s Veneto to the north, Toscana and Marche to the south, slices of Piemonte and Liguria to the west, and the Adriatic to the east, no region touches a broader mix of neighbors, cultures, and traditions.

Continue reading Wanderings: Emilia-Romagna at Our Italian Table.

The magnificent blood orange  – a small burst of sunshine for a chilly winters day. Our little local farmer’s market has recently started carrying these beauties. The weatherman was forecasting rain for most of the day but lo and behold, it has been snowing all day – big, fat flakes piling up on around. This winter feels like it will never end! With our focus on Sicily for this month, these little rays of sunshine were the perfect pick me up for our gloomy moods.

Continue reading Grilled Provolone with Blood Orange Reduction (Provola alla Griglia con Riduzione dell’Arancia Rossa) at Our Italian Table.

Why, when most Italian regions have lovely one-word names (Toscano, Piemonte, Puglia), is one of the smallest and most out-of-the-way regions burdened by a name with three multi-syllablic words, one of which is also the name of a city not even in the region? Couldn’t anyone figure out something more concise to call Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

Actually, the tongue-twisting name says a great deal about this fascinating region tucked in the northeast corner of Italy: generalities and blending are resisted, autonomy and distinctions are important.

Continue reading Wandering through. . .Friuli Venezia-Giulia at Our Italian Table.

We are launching a new series here at Our Italian Table.  We have long held a desire to truly study the unique, diverse regions of Italy which have come to be shaped by forces and shifts in climate, location, people, history and even technology. We have visited or at least driven through almost each of the 20 varied landscapes with each region offering its own diverse palate of culinary delights. As our travels through Italy continue to broaden, transform and deepen our respect for this magical place,  we hold close the lessons and traditions learned with each and every passegiata through the country.

Continue reading Introducing our new series……Wanderings! at Our Italian Table.

Ahhh, the story behind this photo! My, my – where to start?? In 2006 – after my divorce – I decided it was time  to visit the motherland. So passport and suitcase in hand, off I went solo to Santo Stefano di Camastra, my mother’s village in Sicilia. Although I had visited Italy previously, this was my first time trying my hand behind the wheel. Mama mia! After getting lost in Palermo and finally finding the autostrada, my little feet were shaking on the pedals something fierce but I soon arrived safe and sound at my destination.

Continue reading Weekly Photo Challenge: Two Subjects – Memories from Sicilia at Our Italian Table.

Buon giorno, tutti. Sitting at Cafe Fiaschettera in the Piazza del Popolo in Montalcino….enjoying a cappucino as the locals wander in for their morning cafe..pretty special. Join me for a cup? A dopo!

Continue reading Sunday morning in Montalcino at Our Italian Table.

Is it possible to feel hugged by an island?? Is it possible that I may have stumbled on the most wonderful souls on the planet??  I just returned from the amazing island of Pantelleria in the sea south of Sicily.  I am brimming with excitement to share my adventures from this wonderful slice of paradiso. The people of this island are quite possibly the warmest souls in Italy. I have returned with my bagagli brimming with gifts, my notebook filled with recipes, my camera filled with amazing images and my heart filled with warmth for these wonderful, wonderful people. 

Continue reading Pantelleria: Hugged by an Island at Our Italian Table.

Mild amusement.  That was the expression on the face of the desk clerk as I approached with maps and guide books in hand. ‘Dimmi ‘ (‘tell me’) he said with a wry smile on his face.  It was my last evening on the eastern coast of Sardinia and about to head west to Alghero early the next morning across the interior of the island.  I have to admit that I was a tad nervous as it would be about a  3 or 4 hour solo drive in unfamiliar territory.

Continue reading Sardinia’s Ancient Interior at Our Italian Table.

In 1929, the Touring Club of Italy reported that “Whoever travels across this island even if only briefly, will take away lasting impressions and memories of a way of life that is unique in all senses….”. I am very pleased to report that things have not changed. This island holds on dearly to a fiercly independent character, guarding traditions against modern civilization.  Yet, from east to west, the island is amazingly diverse – from the glitzy yachts afloat in Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) to the quiet, colorful medieval zone of Sa’ Costa in Bosa. 

Continue reading Enchanting Sardinia at Our Italian Table.

The islands of Italy are as diverse as mainland Italy itself. I am currently on a mission to visit as many of these beautiful and mysterious islands as possible.  It all started with a love affair – a love for both Sicilia and a Sicilian.  (But all that on another day!)  After spending many days and weeks on this amazing island, I decided to venture out to see what the other islands were like -spurred on by the romantic yet hopeless portrait painted by D.

Continue reading The Islands of Italy at Our Italian Table.