What to do with that odd looking veggie called eggplant

As many of you know I am obsessed with eggplant. I love the purple veggie that most “texture eaters” are against. Here in Italy, we all ride that same train. They have so many uses for it that I thought I would share a few of them with the hope of converting a few of you to try it. Note, this may be a step out there but people all over the world are enjoying it and why cant you too?

Fried Eggplant

· 2 medium sized eggplants

· Olive oil

· Bread crumbs (2 cups)

· 2 eggs

· Parmesan cheese, ground (about a 3/4ths of a cup)

1. Eggplant can be very bitter so a few hours before cooking or the night prior if you think about it (the more time the better. They might turn brown but no worries), slice the eggplant about ¾ of an inch thick and salt both sides. This will draw the excess water and bitter taste out.

2. Heat a substantial amount of oil in a pan. Make sure there is enough room to fry several slices at a time

3. Crack the 2 eggs in a bowl and stir. Combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese on a large plate.

4. Dip the eggplant into the egg and then transfer to the bread crumb and cheese plate. Then float in the oil. Cook until both sides are brown. Serve warm with a touch of parm on top. Enjoy!

Spicy and Chunky Eggplant (no real name)

· 2 medium sized eggplants

· 2 TBS olive oil

· 1 red onion

· 2-3 vine ripened tomatoes

· crushed red pepper (to taste)

1. The same as above: Eggplant can be very bitter so a few hours before cooking or the night prior if you think about it (the more time the better. They might turn brown but no worries), slice the eggplant into 1 inch chunks and salt all over the kosher salt (the large granules). This will draw the excess water and bitter taste out.

2. Sauté onion and tomatoes in olive oil. Once cooked add the eggplant and red pepper.

3. You can serve alone or with pasta. Either way it is delicious!

Pureed Eggplant

· 2 medium eggplants

· Olive oil

· 1 red onion

· Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut eggplant into chunks, salt and let water draw out.

2. Steam the eggplant until soft

3. Add chopped red onion, steamed eggplant, 3 TBS olive oil, salt and pepper to a blender to puree.

4. Perfect over a baguette or mixed in with pasta. Oh yes, and with parmesan of course!

A Tatas Roman Holiday

The re-enactment of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday was going on last week. Well not exactly, but I can say that I starred in the recession 2009 version involving babies, diapers, bidets and Italian Nonnas. Claudia, Lulu and I drove the 4 1-2 hour journey to Marina San Niccola last week to stay with her mother and her mothers twin in their twin villas 30 minutes north of Rome on the seaside. Yes, you read correctly. It was an interesting first day meeting these two. Normally when I think of all of the twins that I have come into contact with they are all younger, but as all people do, they get old. And as if they weren’t identical already, their houses are exact mirrors of one another with slightly different décor

The house was nice, every room had its own bathroom (not in-suite but next door) and I got to share with Lulu… of course. It was easy to get into a routine there because they are very orientated to be that way. Well it might have something to do with fact that the other Nonna (Maria Teresa) has a live in cook from the Ukraine named Galia. For 10 years she has been away from her family, learned Italian both the language and cuisine and now does everything for them. She was incredible. The food that she prepared for both lunch and dinner was something that could have been served in a restaurant. Just a few examples: pasta with what seemed like a bruschetta sauce, FRESH bread (white or wheat everyday), whole fish, a variety of meats barbequed, tuna with sautéed veggies (that was a shocker didn’t look like tuna and made me gag just a bit), a rice dish with curried pork, pepperoni’s (Italian version of small bell peppers) sautéed and seasoned to perfection and of course a few types of pastas and several cheeses. Oh yes and wine, but we will get to that later.

Let me fill you in on the family a bit. The sisters spend the month of July near Rome at the seaside and then in August go to Torgiano, near Perugia to their villas in the country to have the whole family for a visit. The other family is very well known in Genova because the last name, Spinola has papal history meaning that they are related to a pope in the days that they were able to marry. They even have historical papers at their villa in Torgiano stating some family history. I was informed that their family owned all of the land from Perugia to Assisi.

When we arrived in Marina San Niccola the other sister had her daughter (40s), granddaughter (9) and their tata there. Amazingly enough the other tata is from Colorado Springs and is 19. We hit it off immediately. Maybe it was a desperation for English. Maybe it was a need to vent about the experiences we were having and if we were crazy to think that sometimes its just too much, or maybe it was the fact that we are two girls living the dream in Italy and wanted to share it with someone who would understand. Regardless we had a great time and she having been there for a week already was able to show me the ropes of what to do and not to do in order to fit in.

The day after we got there the families let us have to day off to travel to Rome and explore the eternal city. Allison and I spent the day walking from St. Peters, where I got to see the tomb of Giovanni Paolo II and St. Peter, to the Spanish Steps where we of course had to take the token Audrey photo on the steps. From there we made our way to the Trevi fountain and threw three coins in with the hopes of returning with a love (I think that is the rule with three coins but oh well). At this point the heat had gotten to us to we grabbed some food and drink – caprese on foccacia bread- and sat under the entrance to the Pantheon and watched as tourists entered and exited the famous church. We explored the area around and then decided that a gelato was necessary so I took us on an adventure to find Blue Ice, a gelateria that I had gone to as a senior in high school – success! And yes it was still wonderful. The rest of the afternoon we climbed to the top of the Victor Emanuale building with the best view of the Coliseum, posed for a few photos and then hoofed it to the base of the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Sadly we were too cheap, too tired and too sweaty to be bothered with the throngs of tourists following plastic flowers listening to guides to pay the 8 euro and 9 euro entry fees so we glanced from the outside in.

The next day everyone left but Lulu, me and the Nonnas awaiting the arrival of Claudias brother, his wife and her parents. I was thrown into a family reunion without a team t-shirt and not knowing who to represent. For the most part all was well but it was quite the experience to be part of, yet so far from a family.

The seaside there was wonderful. Black sand and plenty of people watching to be done. In the evenings I would walk to the centre and grab a gelato hans solo and just sit and listen to the water. Later in the week I was able to go to a market in a nearby town where the clothing was in bins for 3-5 euro. I was in awe and so ready to buy, I mean who pays that kind of money for cute clothes! All in all it was a nice time but I was so glad to get back to Casella, especially after a 3 1-2 hour train ride with Lulu who wanted to wander the aisle. No fun.

The update on Florence to come but my hand is cramping and the little angel is waking from her nap. Until next time.

JIA

Andiamo al mare!

Question, how can you tell that it is July and August in Italy? Answer.... countless old men in speedos and Italian women dressed to the nines who sit in the sun all day. I have no idea how they do it.... the women, well and the men I guess. No shame thats for sure.


I am quickly learning what it is like to be on an Italian holiday. The Rivas have a cabin at the beach where they house all of their things. In addition they have several chairs both of the sitting and lounge variety. It is a very nice set-up. We have been going about twice a day. Lulu loves to be in the water and laughs so much that choking is now a regular occurence. There is only so much that you can do to prevent her laughter besides tell her to chuiso la boca!

I love people watching there, not in the creeper sense, but it awe of how the people interact. Its fun and sometimes sad to see how the families are together. Thankfully because Claudia is a single mother she does not have the entitled attitude that most of the women have. Monday through Friday the seaside is speckled with mothers, children and ta-tas but come the weekend the men flood in to get some face time with the kids. I was sitting in the park today and saw so many Fathers chase the kids around thinking well 2 out of 7 days, I guess that they can put that much enegery into it.



Lets see to update since I have been here we have ventured to an Italian Circus. Nothing spectacular just a few scary men in tight, shiny, spandex pants juggling a variety of objects and overcharging to see their act. We have been to a few very nice restaurants, well nice in the sense that it has been some of the best eating of my life not cloth napkins and suited waiters. I am going to start to add the recipes that I am learning from Claudia to my updates to stay tuned... they will arrive shortly.

Each night Claudia makes an incredible meal. It ranges from a variety of cheeses to pastas and sauces. Several types of local wine that a friend made or she knew someone who loves this type ect. Also, everything and I mean EVERYTHING is cooked, coated, dipped or dunked in olive oil. Oh how I love thee.

A few days ago I was fortuante enough to meet up with a friend from college and her friend in Cinque Terre to escape bottles and diapers and speak some much needed English. We stayed in Riomaggiore at a place called Edys (Rick Steves special) in an apartment. Upon meeting Kassey and Jennie we immediatley headed out for lunch (foccacia, local specialty) and then started the hike around 3pm. The trek from Riomaggiore to Manarola also called Lovers Lane was 1km and well paved, a nice afternoon stroll if you will. The venture from Manarola to Corniglia also 1km had a little suprise at the end of about 380 steps to climb.... but ok we could handle this. Lies. The following segment from Corniglia to Vernazza was 4km, not paved and included hundreds of steps. Hahaha, we finally realized why people say the hike is hard. However despite the heavy breathing and dust the views were indcredible and upon entering into Vernazza we were welcomed by a free beach and cafe. Not like people were literally waiting to serve us but the option was there. It took quite of bit of enegery to get us out of our chairs after a espresso but risotto called our name from the next town over, Monterosso. 3km to go! This last bit was the most difficult having to go from sea level to mountain high quite rapidly but the idea of a Kodak moment and the impending sunset pushed us on. Finally at 8:30pm we descended into Monterosso legs wobbling but with a feeling of great accomplishment.

Can I please tell you about this risotto... well of course, its my blog. I had been hearing about this ristorante for months from Kara a coworker who, upon hearing of my location in Italy told me about a place who served not plates, but VATS of the most amazing risotto. I mean what carb, cheese lover could turn down that? After a few failed attempts and wrong turns we made it to the ristorante and were seated immediately. Risotto ai funghi e vino rosso per favore. Thats all it took for me to enter into gastronomic heaven.

It has been nice to finally feel a bit more situated and comfortable in someone elses home. I know that it will take time but I am learning more Italian and feeling more like a regular than foreigner. I am so excited for upcoming adventures... Tuesday we head to her mothers house outside of Rome for another seaside outing. Thankfully there is another American ta-ta with whom I am hoping to shares stories and memories with. Who knows!

A dopo!

Jenny the ta-ta

Also, if you would like to see photos you can look at them through this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2424702&id=3203327&l=76438f2ad6

TA - TA?

To some this phrase may have no meaning at all but to those of you that are aware of the need to "save the ta tas" as a girl in my sorority did, I would like you to know that in Italy the nanny is known as a ta-ta. Yes each day, several times a day I am reminded of the need to save people from breast cancer. It is quite a good start I think.

We have made it to Casella a commune di Levanto (think Cinque Terre minus the tourists). Claudia refers to her house a tower becase there are three levels. The bottom level has the 2 bedrooms. One in which I share with Ludovica and then Claudia has the other. The next level is the living room and my personal bathroom. The last is the kitchen and outdoor terrace. Imagine walking out to a fountain, tiled patio that overlooks an olive grove on one side and hillside towns on the other. I feel like a mute because all that I want to do is look out on the countryside and stare at the cars. I make Lulu sit on the floor and look for buses--- yes I know that I am creative but hey she likes it because I let her "play" with my hair.

We have not had a chance to go to the sea because the weather has been bad however I have had a chance to see the town. Last night we went to a small ristorane in town to celebrate my arrival and the one year anniversary of Claudias divorce. Close your eyes and imagine this meal (sorry to those of you that are reading hungry.... this is mean I realize). We sit outside facing a small garden with fountain, and are served a variety of bread. I order a salad and then ravoli with a walnut sauce... a local specaility. The appetizer were large, fried anchovies... yes, anchovies and I ate them, well hoovered might be a better term. Who knew that the slimy little canned fish could grow so big and offer so much enjoyment. I am now a believer. Of course we had to have sparliking wine to toast with (chin - chin) and then after dinner it was grilled peaches with caramel and gelatto. Oh, yes, and limoncello. Phew.... roll me home.

Today the sun was also hiding but we went to town anyway. Claudia went to the park with Lulu and I got a chance to walk around. The castle, church, shops and my favorite - the grocery store. I must have looked like a well dressed homeless person because I just walked and looked at the fresh pesto and cheese. No drool thankfully.

Currently I am enjoying the benefits of looking after a little one because she is napping. Hopefully later we can go to the sea because despite the cooler temperatures it is still humid and I need to be in the ocean. It was torture to see all of the people in the water... well, also torture to see all of the old Italian men in speedos. It was a quick refersher course in seaside wear.

I hope all is well and that this message brings you a bit of joy. Until next time-

Jenny the ta ta.