The Molise region is Italy’s Secret Region and still often overlooked, probably because of its size – it’s the second smallest Italian region. It’s also the youngest region and it was only in 1970 that it became separate from the Abruzzo region. Molise is made up of two provinces: Campobasso and Isernia. Below is a…
Food & Wine
Eating Your Way through Sicily – Podcast Episode 14
Sicily is a haven of art and architecture, millennia old monuments and incredible history and food, and Eating Your Way through Sicily is a divine way to enjoy this amazing island. Think gelato, delicious stuffed fried rice balls known as arancini and luscious cannoli. Not to mention incredible seafood throughout the island plus fabulous wines….
A chat with the 6th generation owner of the oldest Modica chocolate company in Sicily – Podcast Episode 13
In today’s podcast episode I chatted with Pierpaolo Ruta, the sixth generation owner of the oldest Modica chocolate company in Sicily, L’Antica Dolceria Bonajuto. We chatted about the history of chocolate in general and what exactly constitutes Modica chocolate. He shared all kinds of fascinating details about his family history and their philosophy on making…
How Italy Protects Its Food and Wine – Podcast Episode 12
Italian Food and Wine Classifications What are all the Italian food and wine acronyms and classifications, what do they all mean and why do they matter anyhow? They are all part of how Italy protects its food and wine. In today’s podcast episode Michele Di Pietro from @mangiawithmichele and I chatted about Italian food labeling…
Farm to Table homestyle pig butchering in northern Tuscany – Podcast Episode 11
Today James Martin shared another story about a Farm to Table homestyle pig butchering in Northern Tuscany with his friend Armando. We chatted about how Armando and a few other men took apart the pig and made all kinds of pork delicacies over the span of one morning in his mother’s garage. We chatted about Armando,…
Start a New Bucket List for your Trip to Italy – Podcast Episode 10
You may be thinking it’s too early to start a new bucket for your trip to Italy, but it’s actually the perfect time. Yesterday Italy opened up after months of lockdown, including churches and museums, so it’s the perfect time to get a jump on your Italy travel plans. Irene Quinn from the Bella Giornata…
All About Salt and its Amazing History – Podcast Episode 9
In this week’s podcast episode you’ll learn all about salt: its history dating back before Roman times, its culinary uses and the important role it plays in our diet. There are those who try to eliminate salt from their diet all together and others who love it and use it in fabulous dishes like this…
The Lunigiana, its history and its food – Podcast Episode 8
In today’s Flavor of Italy Podcast – Episode 8, James Martin – travel writer, photographer and all around expert in off the beaten track spots in Italy – shared fascinating details about the Lunigiana in upper Tuscany. The Lunigiana, where James & his wife Martha Bakergian have a home and spend five months every year,…
Peperoncini and ‘Nduja, the darlings of Calabrian Cuisine – Podcast Episode 7
Peperoncini – hot chili peppers – and ‘Nduja, the darlings of Calabrian Cuisine, are used to add delightful heat to dishes in Calabria and throughout Italy. Italians add heat to their food with peperoncini, or hot chili pepper. The peperoncino is a mainstay in Calabrese cuisine and is celebrated each September in the lovely coastal…
A Chat with Julia Griner, Pasta “Sfoglina” – Podcast Episode 6
In the Flavor of Italy Podcast – Episode 6 I chatted with Julia Griner, accomplished sfoglina and co-owner of Grano & Farina Cooking School in Rome. Julia learned to make pasta sfoglia – sheets of egg and flour dough, (hence the name sfoglina) – in Bologna, Italy and she shared her story with me from…
Cooking in the Time of Coronavirus – Podcast Episode 5
Cooking in the Time of Coronavirus – Episode 5 discusses the changes we have made in our style of cooking since “shelter in place” went into effect. People are gravitating towards comfort foods and at the same time are getting more creative with pantry cooking: putting together ingredients they have on hand. In today’s episode…
All About Gnocchi – Podcast Episode 4
You may already know and love these delicious little pillows of heaven or you may know nothing about them. Either way today’s Flavor of Italy podcast episode 4 tells you All About Gnocchi from its history and tradition to how to make this luscious dish – and more. Check out these useful links from the…