Jessica S.Levy

You may know her from the “scandalous” Sicilian dessert, or at least have seen it in photos. Small mounds, covered in a layer of sugary, white marzipan and adorned with a candied cherry on top. It’s also popular in iconic …

What could be more emblematic of Italy than a pizza margherita, small pools of fresh mozzarella bubbling and lightly brown, starkly contrasted against a bright red tomato palette, a lone basil leaf or two providing a pop of dark green? …

Ask an Italian what they think of la mostarda—a linguistic “false friend” for mustard—and be prepared for a strong opinion. A friend of mine introduced it to me over text  a while ago, when it appeared while visiting her family …

Sardinia usually conjures images of Mediterranean beach vacations, where blue-green waters lap at shores and celebrities float their yachts along the harbor of la Costa Smeralda. While that is a part of the island scene, it’s not the reality for most …

Chiacchiere, bugie, frappe, and cenci. No matter the name, they are a similar Carnival snack—thin, deep-fried strips of a liqueur-enriched dough that are tossed in sugar and munched upon during the festivities. In Venice, arguably home to Italy’s most famous …

When planning a trip to Liguria, the five villages of Cinque Terre most famously spring to mind. But with nearly 2.4 million people wandering through these towns every year, it can make the scenery a little less enjoyable. Liguria’s long …

Sitting just 13 miles outside of Rome is Frascati, one of the small towns known in the region of the Castelli Romani for its villas built by noble families in the 16th century. But one of the best reasons to …

When I think about hazelnuts and Italy together, that gooey confection—often found in a collectible jar—immediately comes to mind. Yes, I’m talking about Nutella, a clever and cloying friend that begs to be slathered on toast, or eaten by the spoonful. But …

My first stop when entering Apulia was at the Wojtyla airport in Bari Baggage claim. While waiting for the conveyor belt to start delivering my bags, I looked up and noticed the room’s only advertisement: a banner pasted across the …

One morning I awoke to a fruity, musky scent that hung heavy in the air, floating out from the kitchen to all corners of the house. Approaching the stove, I saw a crimson liquid bubbling, sticky bursts popping and clinging …