While here in the States, New Year’s Day often marks the end of our holiday season, in Italy, the fun continues.  Especially for kids, Epiphany on January 6th is almost as exciting as Christmas itself.  Epiphany celebrates the day when the Wise Men came, following a star, to the manger to visit the Christ Child and bring Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  In Italy’s famous Presepe, nativity scenes, and the Renaissance paintings like the one featured here by Sandro Botticelli, we often see this moment beautifully depicted. Italians have added legend to the holy celebration in the form...

Italy loves and honors the Saints, and Festa di San Martino is celebrated in different ways all throughout Italy.  Generally, it also coincides with the time to try new wine and the peak of chestnut season.  In many of the celebrations, you will find chestnuts and wine.  Sounds like a good time, doesn’t it?  Italy has several proverbs surrounding Estate di San Martino and involving the season of Autumn, harvest, chestnuts, and wine.  I love this one, “Per San Martino castagne e buon vino” “Chestnuts and good wine for St. Martin’s day”.  You’re sure to find both everywhere, and one...

In Italy there’s a charming phrase, “A tavola non s’invecchia”.  It means, “At the table one does not age.”  A phrase not only sweet, but hard to argue, as Italy has quite a few areas where people tend to live a long time.  Could it be because they spend so much time gathered around a table enjoying each other’s company and wholesome food?  Likely, yes!  In the most authentic kitchens where these long lives are led, only the best ingredients are prepared.  Pastas are made from non-modified wheat.  Olive oils are extra virgin and made of Italian olives, likely grown...

Have you ever noticed how the first notes of a mandolin send your mind off dreaming of sparkling seas or fields of sunflowers?  How the scent of fresh basil and ripe tomatoes makes you beg for spicy olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar?  For me, those tastes bring back sweet memories with the Italian people while basking in the joys produced by their land.