HelenJun 20, 20212 minOil of St John's wort St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an interesting plant, thanks to its many associations with folklore, traditional medicinal...
HelenDec 23, 20202 minChristmas nativitiesFriends and visitors often ask us what Christmas is like in Italy and whether there are different traditions from those we were used to...
HelenDec 4, 20203 minIl toc - a delicious tradition of Lombardy (This site contains affiliate links. Tell me what that means.) We love learning about the history and traditions of our local area here...
StuartDec 3, 20203 minCecina or farinata? I think we're splitting peas!Chickpea farinata, socca or cecina (depending on which region you are from) is a savoury dish made with water, olive oil and chickpea...
HelenDec 2, 20203 minFrom twigs to pimpsIf, like us, you rely on a wood burner as your sole source of heating, you will know that a good supply of dry kindling is essential and...
HelenNov 5, 20205 minSweet chestnut harvest and storageOctober is harvest time for sweet chestnuts and for us, living surrounded by a sweet chestnut wood, they are not in short supply. (This...
HelenJun 24, 20201 minAcqua di San Giovanni (St John's water)June 24th is the feast of St John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista). It is traditional in parts of Italy, on the eve of St John the...