Food

To be truthful, artichokes are almost a mystery outside of the Mediterranean: yes, we find jars of them on the shelves of our local grocery stores, but the fresh variety remains a bit of a rarity. Mind, carciofi are a …

Standing in a grove of fig trees has been compared to being surrounded by wizards. The branches droop like long beards, making the trees appear ancient and wise. And as far as palates are concerned, the trees are like magic. Twice a …

Sardinian cuisine may be simple in its ingredients, but it’s packed with flavor and boldness: it all comes down to the island’s Mediterranean climate and how it positively affects agriculture, but also to its history. Over the centuries, Sardinian cuisine managed to maintain …

The torta Pasqualina is a traditional savory pie from Liguria and its famous capital, Genova. As you may guess from its name, it is particularly common at Easter time, when it appears on the tables of many families, especially in Northern Italy. This amazing dish …

A cynic of Italian cuisine — a non-Italian — once observed that a  typical Italian diet consists mostly of pasta, pasta, and more pasta. While it’s true that most Italians and many Italian-Americans consume pasta by the bowlfuls on a regular …

For centuries, in various parts of Northern Italy, working folks would fortify themselves before heading out into the bitter cold of winter. Their chosen potion usually was a local spirit distilled as a byproduct of grape residue left over from …

Taralli are a recent culinary obsession of mine. It all began one evening when I received an impromptu invitation for dinner from a friend, who set up a quick aperitivo, too: a glass of white, some parmesan cubes, and cold …

Some dishes strike a chord so profound to become synonymous with memories of a place, a moment, or even a person. Caponata is one such dish for me, intertwined with the memory of a dear friend from Sicily, whose culinary prowess is …

Ricotta is so versatile and so good. A simple dash of lemon juice and a spoonful of sugar, and we have a light, refreshing dessert. Some honey and cinnamon and we already feel closer to the Middle East, while chocolate chips …

 Mortadella has lovers all over the world. With its distinctive and aromatic flavor, this century-old staple of Italian gastronomy has captivated the palates of millions and keeps on doing it.  Americans know it well, because it crossed the Atlantic with Italian …