Exploring my maternal grandparents Abruzzese heritage and enjoying the rest of Italy along the way.
Abruzzo is never far from my mind. I am planning a trip of my own later this year. But, as always in April, my thoughts turn to my late mother Louise Pergolini Tucker. She would have been 89 this week. Not only was she born on the 10th of April but she also died on her 81st... Continue Reading →
Arrosticini are skewers of cubed lamb meat cooked over charcoal and are a specialty of the Abruzzo region of Italy. Historically, arrosticini were prepared by shepherds on the move. Now they can be found at many festivals in the region, at social gatherings, conference lunches and some restaurants. Most of the foods that we grew up with reflected the... Continue Reading →
Two recent articles have inspired me to write about my late grandfather John Pergolini, longtime tailor. First, a review of a documentary about Italian tailors, which I have yet to see (Men of the Cloth - a film by Vicky Vasilopolos). The review is written by fellow Abruzzophile Helen Free on the Abruzzo Blogger Community site. Second, an article... Continue Reading →
Out of sheer necessity, my mother Louise Pergolini, made simple meals at home. She was usually feeding anywhere from eight to 12 people each day. When she knew she'd be home for a few hours, she'd often made a big stock pot of sugo, an all-purpose tomato sauce for pasta meals or braised meat dishes. It normally... Continue Reading →
Our great uncle Michael Izzo married into the Mezzacappa family and acquired not only his wife, my great aunt Ethel, but four more sisters. All potential suitors had to be scrutinised by our great grandfather Nicola Mezzacappa, who could be, by all accounts, somewhat frightening and very protective of his five daughters. So having passed muster, you knew... Continue Reading →
One thing is for sure - soup is the most curative of substances. From sniffles to broken hearts, nothing is as comforting and warming as a well prepared bowl of soup. What you put in it depends entirely on personal taste and probably a bit on your heritage. My grandparents Giovanni and Anna were both from the Teramo province... Continue Reading →
Normally, at home in Australia we pride ourselves on how lucky we are to have a great climate (mediterranean, in the case of Adelaide) which gives us access to a variety of fresh local food and produce, year round. Living by the low food miles philosophy is possible here. Sometimes I break from the philosophy,... Continue Reading →
Food inspiration takes many forms: a favourite meal remembered, a key ingredient you've been wanting to try, a special request from a loved one, a new recipe. Well, my beloved husband Roo has been the lucky recipient of a new kitchen tool, a little press for cutting out ravioli. This is his inspiration. I... Continue Reading →
When in Italy, the conversation always turns to food. Whether on the bus, riding a bike along the lungomare (seaside esplanade), sitting on the train, waiting at the post office, at a coffee bar, with friends and family. It's everywhere. There is talk about foods in season, the price of cheese, the colour of apricots,... Continue Reading →
If you find yourself in Sulmono, a town in the L'Aquila province within the Abruzzo region, 'senza macchina' - without a car - it is worth the effort to catch the local bus to picturesque Scanno. And if you go on a school day when the teenagers from Scanno are travelling home from Sulmona, expect... Continue Reading →
