(My attempts at posting video clips have been deleted, as they don't work.)
Leaving soon for Tivoli, but thought I'd try and post a quick note. Spent a fantastic evening last night with Stefano's beautiful family here. As I said, I goofed up the pictures once again, but here is what I have.
I need to rush. More later. Ok, back from exhausting and very beautiful day in Tivoli. But first, more of last night. Marco and family treated me like royalty, and we had an early Easter. They prepared a traditional feast. We started with a plate of salumi consisting of mortadella, salami, proscuitto, dried tomatoes. This was also served with cheese with honey and some olives. This was followed by fettucini made by Maria, Stefano, Marco and Debra's mother. When I say made, this is from scratch, hand rolled and cut. We had two different types, one with tomato sauce and the other with porcini mushrooms. This was followed by saltimbocca, and another meat that I now forget the name of and potatoes. Also, with asparagus. All served with a couple bottles of Marco's favorite wine. After all this we moved to sweets. We had a homemade crostini (I think that is the name), and a colomba. For Easter, they also had giant size hollow chocolate easter eggs that by tradition the kids got to smash over Uncle's head while wrapped to break it into edible size pieces. To help with digestion of all this food, Marco dragged out an excellent grappa for us. It was great fun being welcomed into this family, especially with the three boys, two almost 2 years old, and one age 7. They provided the entertainment through dinner. Stefano, I can't thank you enough for sharing your family with me. Tell me again why you left here. Also loved Marco's story about the time Stefano visited home, and filled his suitcase with salumi, cheeses and other good Italian food to bring back to the States. Unfortunately, customs stopped him, and he watched with tears in his eyes as all that good food was thrown away. Now, that is a real sin. Forgot to mention, as Stefano said, Marco drives a piece of Italian history, an old Fiat 500 from the 1970s which he drove me home in. All in all, another excellent evening in Roma. Ciao
Beautiful family. Marco looks and sounds very much like Stefano. Can't wait to hear about Tivoli.
ReplyDeleteGiuseppe thank you to take your time to go see my family they had a good time.
ReplyDeleteThe other meat was abbacchio or little lamb.
Ci vediamo presto divertiti a roma
I saw Stefano and many of the Italians here today, at Silvia and Derek's. Stefano, I must write this for Maria Grazia's sake: When I brought the fegatini di pollo e crostini, Stefano took one bite and declared it "buonissimo". Plus, I actually followed the entire film, without english subtitles, including some of the subtleties of humor. You will need to join us for the next one, to keep your Italian language ball rolling. Btw, if you have posted something about your trip to Tivoli, I am not able to see it yet. On another note, Jim's obit was beautiful. We are now entering Holy Week, and so my prayers double, to include your family at this time of both mourning and renewal. Buona fortuna per tuo l'ultima settimana di scuola. Abbracci, C.
ReplyDeleteOops, ok, just saw that Tivoli notes were added on to this existing post. I stopped on the way home to buy two Colombo for Pasqua, after reading your posts. I'm sure you also are generating interest in grappa to those of us following this blog. Cin-cin!
ReplyDeleteI am for sure curious about the grappa. I will make sure to explain to dear husband how it is of the utmost importance for me to have some grappa upon delivery. So, it is great that you get to enjoy so many aspects of Italian life: Family, food, traditions. What a productive, wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteSisy, perhaps try a grappa tonight, and you'll go right into labor.
ReplyDelete