It's summer time!
>> Friday, May 02, 2008
Antonio and I will be going back to Italy for summer. It's been 2 years since our last trip and he misses his family dearly. One of the things we miss most besides our dear nephew and niece is Mamma Rosa's garden and her delicious meals. Blessed with good soil, the garden is always full of produce of the season. I have always told BB that her rabbits would go crazy nibbling from plant to plant if they were set free in the garden. 
As Antonio says, you live better having your own garden. It is so true. Italians eat a lot healthier than many of us. Having their own garden means lots of fresh vegetables at every meal. The hard work is taking care of the garden with lots of love and patience. 
Italians have every reason to be proud of their cuisine because everyone is so passionate about food. The tomatoes we buy in Singapore are just bland and just a bit juicy. I never really enjoyed eating them so much till I tasted the ones in Italy. Just a simple dish like bruschetta tastes divine with fresh basil and olive oil. Zucchinis of various types and its flowers stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella are simple yet delightful. I guess it is much easier being vegetarian in Italy, during my 6 months stay the last time, I had no cravings for meat at all because there was just so many delicious non-meat dishes to choose from. 
On sundays or when Mamma Rosa has more time, we will make fresh pasta. It just tastes better than dried pasta. Pasta making is a tradition passed from generation to generation. Each family has their own recipe and they would make them together. Some of the pastas we have made with Nonna Delfina are gnocchi, tagliatelle and fusilli. They taste so delicious with just a simple ragu. The essence of good Italian cooking is simplicity. A good combination will bring out the flavour of each ingredient. 
As I am entering this new post, it makes me want to go back to Italy to savour the great food. This time I promised myself to learn more new recipes from Mamma Rosa so that I can also pass down the tradition to my kids in future.
