Where to begin?! Friday, my History and Culture of Italian Food class had a site visit to a Tuscan farmhouse for a cooking lesson. After a 45 minute bus ride we arrived at an old cement farmhouse surrounded by greenery and rolling hills.
We were greeted by a couple who host American and Italian students and teach them about Tuscan cooking with fresh ingredients. After tying our aprons and putting up our hair, we started cooking a five course meal consisting of three types of crostini, gnocchi, spinach and cheese ravioli, pork roast stuffed with spices, and for dessert, tiramisu. Lacey and I started working on the tiramisu (don't worry I have the recipe and will be making it when I get back) which was pretty easy and quick to make. Next, we got to rolling the gnocchi on forks, which reminded me of making gnocchi with my mom. Later we rolled out pasta dough for the ravioli and then began stuffing the ravioli with a spinach and ricotta filling.
I was excited to get a little experience cooking all of the dishes. After working all morning our mouths were watering as we all sat at the table waiting for the first course. Of course, we enjoyed a little vino with our meal. After we ate, my professor and I taught each other curse words in Italian and English. We laughed hysterically as my professor said "shit" nonchalantly. He called it an "intercultural experience" and soon half the class was in on the conversation, offering curse words in other foreign languages. When we left, they gave us the recipes for all of the food that we cooked and waved as we drove away. I left with a full belly and warm heart.
Saturday, a few of my friends and I went to Borgo San Lorenzo for Sagra del Tortello e del Maiale, a food festival. The town was small and we were the only Americans in sight. The food was pretty good. Some things I tried I didn't know what it was, nor did I want to know! My favorite course was the complimentary beans and sausage dish that the server wanted us to try because it is their town specialty. After stuffing ourselves, we walked around enjoying the mountainous view off in the distance.
While walking, I saw something I'd never seen before: a cheese wheel rolling competition. Only in Italy! Saturday night, Meaghan, our friend, Jackie and I stayed in because they had to wake up early. Our innocent night in turned into a night full of laughs, drinking gypsy juice and nibbling on carrot sticks and chocolate cookies. Does it get any better than that??
Sunday, Lacey and I took the #7 bus to Fiesole. In 20 minutes we were overlooking the city of Florence and beyond.
Lacey had to visit a museum for one of her classes, but when we arrived found that the museum closes early in the winter. Fortunately, the town square was hosting a craft and antique fair.
Lacey and I were in heaven surrounded by vintage Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Gucci accessories, jewelry, and antiques. I bought a sweater. Note to self: don't shop cold! We ate dinner at a small Irish pub run by an Italian guy who chatted with us about where we were studying and even suggested that we visit a villa that his wife works at.
Today was pretty uneventful. For dinner, we got doner, a Turkish dish that is a lot like a wrap filled with meat shaved off of a spit, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, cheese, peppers, and a special yogurt sauce. We fell in love with the place even more when he gave us all frequent buyer cards (10th one is free!) and chatted it up with Billy working behind the counter. After dinner we went to the grocery store and then shuffled home lugging our bags full of yogurt, Nutella, and pasta.
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