Aperitivo

This is perhaps one of the best things that we don't have in the States.  

Aperitivo: bevanda alcolica o analcolica che si beve prima dei pasti per stuzzicare l'appetito
Aperitif: an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an appetizer

Basically, many bars have an offering that when you buy a drink (sometimes it's the normal cost, other times they charge a bit more) you get to help yourself to a buffet of food.  Some places only have cold foods, like a pasta salad, bruschetta, an array of vegetables BUT the good places offer much, much more.  In theory one should not be making a dinner out of this, but you easily can.  For the price of 1 cocktail or beer you can help yourself to a large array of food, cheaper than most of the places you can go for dinner.  I think I can say that we've (some friends and I) become aperitivo connoisseurs, so here's some of our favorite places to go for an inexpensive "meal". 

Sant'Ambrogio Bar Caffe Enoteca (4€)
Enoteca de Macci (6.50€)
News Cafe (7€)
Le Carceri (5€)

Package!

Well, I was super excited yesterday when my package from home finally arrived while I was actually there to receive it.  Inside was the yummy goodness of caramel creams and twizzlers, super fun Sally Hansen Salon Effects (one of which is Halloween themed and I can't wait to wear for the holiday), as well as some warmer winter clothes that I hadn't had space for in my suitcases. 

All in all, it made for a special day (esp. since it was freezing out yesterday so I immediately pulled a sweater out of the box to wear).

Thanks Pops, Moms and Jos!

Sagra delle Castagne

Well, it's my favorite time of year in Italy - the high point of the sagra season.  Sagras, festivals which celebrate an item (normally food related) that's typical to that specific city, occur at all times of the year, however, I've noticed that they seem to be most varied (and more highly concentrated) during the Fall.  There are sagras for just about everything.  In Ladispoli they have the Sagra dei Carciofi (artichokes), Morlupo has the Sagra della Salsiccia (sausage), there's a Sagra d'ogni cosa fritta (everything that's fried), polenta, wine and beans.  

So today, I went to the Sagra delle Castagne (or chestnut festival) in the town of Marradi with my friend Lisa.  There were chestnuts prepared in just about every way you can think of: chestnut grappa, roasted chestnuts, marron glaces, chestnut flour, chestnut cakes and pies, fried marrons, marron tortellinis, and even puddings.  Needless to say, it was yummy.  They also had glasses of novello wine for 1 euro EVERYWHERE and artisan salamis and other cured meats as well as cheeses.

Check out some of my pictures:

Welcome to Marradi!

Candies and nuts.

It was a very picturesque town.

Chestnuts prepared in 6 different ways - not including roasted!

Tortellini di marroni fritti

1 euro wine while we wait for our roasted nuts

Eating chestnuts!