Another summertime delicacy from the heart of Italy

It would certainly appear that tomatoes are the obvious the first signs of spring / summer in Italy. Though you can find these red globes all year round it is clear that the flavour is only available with the warm temps. Then all of a sudden a pomodoro is a work of art, a succulent, juicy  absolutely delicious ingredient to be used everywhere. But no where is as enjoyable as the infamous tri color plate which practically yells ITALY where ever you see (or eat) it.   After preparing a cool refreshing dish of Proscuitto e melone, only the caprese ranks up there with ease and taste bud satisfaction.

Last week, as I was doing my food shopping there was as a young, sassy gentleman shopper (obviously not well trained in how to stack food items precariously without loosing any.) I had the unfortunate front row position as he dropped a container of mozzarella (the fresh kind that rest in their own milk before eating.) Everyone within a two meter radius was spattered with the watery white liquid . . .and you would have thought that all of us would have oozed out a groan and looked at the gooey mess on our Italian leather shoes, Italian leather handbags  and pants . . .

But alas, not the Italians.

All eyes were riveted to the 4 plump mozzarella balls that rolled to the floor.  And believe me when I say, you don’t need to practice ESP to know what they were thinking . . . it was the look of desperation that glowed from their eyes.  I am sure each and everyone of them was thinking to themselves, “che peccato, that there was no way to save those little white balls from being trashed.”

Then there was the collective glare at the poor soul who committed this crime.  One little old lady looked at him and with a voice full of contempt  - “Vergognati!” (you should be ashamed of yourself!)

Warmer temps in Tuscany have Italians day dreaming

There is no limit to the number of food dishes that the Tuscan’s enjoy as soon as the warmer temps announces the advent of spring and summer.  As amazing as it seems to me – an American ex-pat, living in Tuscany – I always marvel over the fact that certain dishes are not to be found year long on the menu.   You don’t eat gelato in the winter (who says!!) and you won’t find a long list of several other Italian favorites outside of the  designated seasons.  I have gone around the Pierotucci Leather Factory, asking our craftsman and women what dishes they are day dreaming about . . . I did this right about lunch time and as soon as the bell rang at 12:30 several bolted for the door!

First on our list of delicious meals for the summer has to be the sweet juicy cantaloupe melon with slices of cured ham – - – better known as proscuitto.  This sweet and salty mix is rather unique in the Tuscan menu, however they seem to find it very refreshing for the warm months.  Cantaloupes start to show up in the markets as soon as the temps rise, and as the summer progresses they are found more frequently.  This is actually one of my favorites to serve – - because its sooooo easy.

What do you think?  Is this one of those Italian summer dishes that you day dream about?

Cultural mistake

I never been one much into fashion myself – I come from Miami where all we really need to go out is a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, flip-flops and a 2 piece …. my experience certainly didn’t include Paris Fashion Week.  After college, my next stop was Europe on a student budget – so once again, shopping at Milan Fashion Week was not high on my list.

This little fact never really bothered me or even put me into serious ridicule.  My friends and cohorts were in the same situation as myself – we didn’t have the $$ to spend of fashion and we just didn’t keep up with the “Kardashians”.

However, after deciding to prolong my visit to Italy, my new environment (namely my ex-boyfriend) made it quite clear that my lack of knowledge (and my dismal fashion sense) were definitely a hindrance in our relationship.

This is not my him, however if mine had looked like this . . . note he is sporting a jacket in panno Casentino

Nothing made this ever so evident as when I was finally introduced to his “best friend.”  It was a bit of a big  ordeal, because his friend lived a couple hours away with his new wife and child.  And since this was definitely going to be a grown-up evening I was eager to put my best American foot forward.  I was prepared to highlight my playful nature and sense of humor.

It was a pleasant evening all the way around – nice people, good food (in Italy when do you not eat well?), stimulating conversation – tons of questions about the USA and the president (who at the time was Regan – I think)  - and a few fun moments cuddling the baby.

As we are walking out the door to start our long trek home (thorough woods and over the hills) I made a “humorous” that has haunted me ever since.  Teasing my then boyfriend, his wardrobe came up and I told his friends that they should try and convince him to spend a few dollars (the ones he saved not going to a restaurant but eating at their house) and change out his winter coat – to make my point, I showed them how the one he had on had all those little balls that aged wool gathers.

Three adult turned to stare at me as if I had just insulted the Pope himself…grown three heads….and turned a dramatic shade of purple …. all at the same time!

Perhaps I really should have known better.  Critic an Italian about their fashion sense … and then wouldn’t you know it?  The material that was used to make his coat  was the prestigious panno Casentino, prized for the curling tufs of wool on the surface – the very same which I had attempted to ridicule.

Note the rough texture – this is a distinct feature of panno Casentino.

It could be that since I was presently residing in the Casentino Valley, a small but very self sufficient area located approximately 45 km southeast of Florence they thought I would automatically know “la vita, morta e miracoli” of the area.  For example maybe I should have known that the valley at one time was extremely famous for its wool production, in fact in the 1800′s the sheep count was 86,000 – more than triple the number of residents in this Italian valley.  And … yes that’s right, maybe I should have known this was the birth place of the panno Casentino – a resistant and lightweight wool distinguished by these surface curls, the very thing that makes it water-resistant.  Not only that, but maybe I should have known that it is well recognized among the Italians as a status symbol!

What I can say is that I now know all this (and so much more)  - and even after 20 years, I have not forgotten that evening, the embarrassment and the many qualities of the panno Casentino.

In my attempts to tease this guy I wound up setting myself up to be the last laugh.

Phantom of the Opera, a favorite in any language

Though I have been to the opera in London several times and a few times both Miami and New York . . . I wouldn’t mind going to the Scala in Milan just once.  What an excellent  excuse to dress-up evening gown style – to twirl about and flutter in the glitter of the evening. Until that day comes, no harm in playing with an evening half and half.

Elegant, chic but not quite a full length gown and opera length leather gloves.

Dressed for a night at the opera di naturalitalianwoman contenente miu miu

Soothing the heart with 3 relaxing activities in Florence Italy

For more than one reason February is associated with red and hearts – Pierotucci is embracing the challenge to show you something red every day. Just a little reminder to Go Red for Women and take care of your heart.

A good rule of thumb is to indulge but not to exaggerated . . . however when in Florence, Italy – surrounded by all this “bontà” its hard to remember what is good for your heart!

The rich history and abundant pieces of breathtaking artwork is a constant – and even if you wanted to avoid the “stress” of seeing yet another display of artistic talent . . . you would have to walk around with your wool cap covering your eyes.

Another “delizia” that is next to impossible to avoid would be gelato . . . like anyone really wants to avoid eating yet another cup filled with this creamy delight.  Though not much into colored food … in this case you have to admit that it looks pretty yummy.  Even in the land of “gelato” we are always looking for something new to delight our international taste buds.  The photo caught our attention and the ingredients kept us reading more.

photo from the Drizzle and Drip blog – click on it to find out how to re-create this delicious treat.

And of course the last (on our list) of things that are soothing to the heart: shopping for a new leather handbag.  No place like Florence offers you the feel of Italian leather, the quality produced from centuries of craftsman perfecting an art and the thrill of excitement over innovative designs.  Roaming the streets and window shopping can be just as tantalizing as visiting a real leather factory where they still cut and assemble bags like they have been doing throughout the last couple of hundred of years in Italy.

Become aware, check out the site http://www.goredforwomen.org to learn more about heart disease and symptoms of a heart attack.

Travel to release stress and Go Red for Women

For more than one reason February is associated with red and hearts – Pierotucci is embracing the challenge to show you something red every day. Just a little reminder to Go Red for Women and take care of your heart.

So the doctor told you to relax to release a bit stress on the heart? How about traveling! Pack a quick overnight bag with a sweater or two, a change of underwear, socks, and some jeans. Don’t even think about it, just make a quick decision to throw some things together and then run with it. With this trend  of quick, cheap flights in Europe , traveling at the spur of the moment has become an easy option. Just check out anyone of the low cost airlines till you find one with a decent enough price and then press BUY!

Sure there are a few discomforts – like having to pack with 10 kg or less or no assigned seating or … no airline food (the jury is still out on how much of a discomfort that is).  But it definitely allows for a lot more freedom in traveling and as long as you are prepared with all your docs, luggage and handbag, and of course a little bit of spending money – it definitely de-stresses the entire adventure.

So pick your destination:

Then your travel partner*:

Then pack your leather cosmetic bag and a quick carryon:

And you’re are off.

If your preferred travel companion is not available, runner ups (like your boyfriend or girlfriend)  are always good fun!

Become aware, check out the site http://www.goredforwomen.org to learn more about heart disease and symptoms of a heart attack.

A romantic breezy day in Paris

If I had one day and just one day in Paris . . . I would spend it eating chocolate eclairs and drinking coffee at a small bar, walking the streets snapping photos of silly things, splashing my hand in the  Siene, standing underneath the towering church of Notre Dame, searching for the tip of the Eiffel Tower and holding hands with my sweetheart.

A Romantic breezy Day in Paris di naturalitalianwoman contenente ballet flats

leaving on a jet plane, don’t know where I’ll be landing

Always loved the idea of packing an overnight bag.

Then showing up at the airport and buying the next flight out.

A weekend – that is three days – of surprises, surprises and more surprises.

Campomaggi overnight travel bag, would be the perfect accessory since it converts well from a pieces of hand luggage to a walk around town travel tote.

First stop … Prague, maybe. how about you?

4 easy ways you can safeguard your handbag

I totally remember the first time I encountered face to face a pick pocket, he was about 9-10 years old and I was fresh off the plane – a novice in every way.  I was visiting Florence on my own, my guide book in hand and a look of wonder on my face – which must have been two dead give a-ways that I was a tourist, of course that and my backpack carelessly slung on my shoulder (apparently easy prey for the zingari – Italian word for gypsy).

As I stood admiring the church Santuario S.Maria del Carmine (Firenze) and those huge wooden doors, I was unexpectedly surround by about 5 – 6 kids. Hey I am game, I grew up as one of 4, so I am used to noise, excitement – but not a 9 year old sticking his hand in my leather travel backpack while the other four try to distract me with jibbering and jabbering in another language. Maybe it was the fact that I was used to having kids all around that made me notice his sticky fingers grasping in my bag.

My first instinct, turn around and slap him!They all ran, hollering and screaming for the road and no one was around to be the wiser for their attempt but, it left a mark on me that has lastest until today (20 years later and it still haunts me.) If I had to be honest, I don’t know what effected me the most: the surprise I felt when I raised my hand to shoo the kid off or the fact that some one actually tried to rip me off … in broad daylight … in front of this religious monument … the list goes on.

Since then I have worked many jobs, including travel agent. During this stint I listened to tourists who had travelled all over Italy only to hear repeatedly their first and lasting memory, the fact that they too got ripped off – most times at the airport on their way home. What always surprises me is that these are adults, who I would have considered to be worldly and not at all gulliable like I was .  And though, I dislike speaking of this down side to travelling I am going swallow my dislike because I believe no one should go home with those types of memories from a place as beautiful as Italy.

Of course, picket pockets come in all shapes, sizes, smells and dress – they can be they man in a suit sitting next to you in the waiting area … checking the partenze schedule … just like you or they can be the lady in the long, patchwork skirt with a baby on her hip, an unusual color combination between shirt, jacket, skirt and wearing bathroom slippers, following you around with a cup in her hand or as in my case, a group of street urchins (believe me it sounds like something out of a Dickens novel … and it looked like something out of a Dickens novel … but if the description fits ….)

So a here are a few pointers on keeping your valuables, your handbags, your pockets and your money a little safer.

keep it closed with snaps, zips and buckles: If the bag you are carrying has them then USE THEM. Make it as hard as possible to get inside.
keep it attached between your body and your arm: Some won’t even try to get inside, they will just pick off the whole bag – so keep it secure, close to you … not hanging low in one hand or unattended on your back.
keep it small: the bigger the target – they easier it is to pick it out.
stay alert: This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the scenery and immerse yourself in the culture – but you should never loose sight of the fact that you are surrounded by others.

I’d like to close with this safetyhandbag site I found that I felt gave some pretty good tips.

If you have anything to add – leave a comment.

Happy New Year! My Resolution is to…

The world hasn’t ended! We’re still here and celebrating a brand new year. We all have a fresh start, a completely clean slate for 2013. So, what are you going to do this year? With the new year comes a heap of resolutions. People go absolutely mad buying gym memberships, self help books, and anything that may help you quit smoking. While all of these are great, they’re definitely not where I’m putting my focus. My new year’s resolution is to travel as much as humanly possible this year. I’m going to do my best to cut corners wherever I can to save money so I can see the world. The more places the better and I promise to share about any and all my travel experiences whereever I may go. So tell us, what’s you New Year’s Resolution? Is it something unique because we’d love to hear about it.

Wishing You A Happy New Year from Pierotucci!