I must apologize.
You know I talk about all things food-related in Northwest Arkansas… but today I MUST break free.
Mi Scusi!
My family and I have just returned from a two-week trip to Sabaudia Italy, just south of Rome…. and wow, how could I NOT share with you my food adventures from this glorious land?
Besides, there will be something in it for you, too. This trip renewed my passion to search out and prepare simple, pure, clean, and tasty dishes. I cannot wait to share them all with you.
Hopefully you will indulge me.
Overall Favorite Memory: The delicious food, pampering and friendship of the wait staff at Hotel le Dune! I cannot say enough about them all: Marcello, Mario, Giovanni, Sonja, Giuseppe, Pinot, and Marco! Grazie!!!
Food item that most surprised me: Would you believe… eggs? What are they feeding these chickens over there? Look at the vibrant orange of the yoke! I still cannot get over it!
Favorite completely shocking moment: After a long day of travel from Arkansas – Memphis – Amsterdam – Rome – Sabuadia, we arrived in time for dinner. After the first course of antipasta, we were served the pasta course. “No Glutina,” I said, as a fresh steaming delightful dish of pasta was placed in front of me. It was quickly whisked away. A second waiter appeared, again with the pasta. “No Glutina,” I said to him. But the pasta stayed. Guiseppe, my waiter, said “No…. NO Glutina!” Can you believe it? EVERY MEAL I HAD MY VERY OWN, SPECIALLY PREPARED GLUTEN-FREE PASTA AND GLUTEN-FREE BREAD!!! Oh joy, oh joy, oh joy! My tears welled and the family cheered! I must say, as spontaneous as that reaction was, it must have encouraged them greatly. It was so much fun to see my pasta dish was double-the-size of the regular pasta dish of everyone else. Pampered? Definitely. Spoiled? Terribly so.
Foods that let you know you’re in Italy: What can I say… Italians know how to do it right!
Biggest food regret: Fioria de zucca. Stuffed squash blossoms. I got a photo of them in the market… but alas, Lyndi failed to imbibe. It was right there, right within my reach. In Rome, we grabbed lunch and I actually ordered them! The waiter quickly told me, “Oh, you no eat… has glutina!” So, I cancelled the order. Big mistake! I should’ve ordered and just admired them while everyone else experienced it. Sigh. Next time in Rome..
Favorite living-vicariously-through-someone-else food moment: My niece’s first gelato. Isn’t that adorable?
Thanks for letting me go on and on today. I cannot wait to share with you all that I’ve learned! I missed chatting with you all these past few weeks!
Happy eating! Caoi!
