Before I tell you about the Mafia mistake, I promised to include a few recipes that I learned from many friendly Italian neighbors who were horrified that I didn’t know how to make a proper Italian meal. So, let me start with my personal favorite from one of my other neighbors, Susanna. Don’t worry, Signora Bergamaschi will play a big part on this blog.
Let me tell you about my first “apartment” after Antonio’s boarding house. It was actually just a room in an apartment owned by an old Italian woman who lived alone. Signora Capellini didn’t speak a word of English and I was only just learning Italian myself. I had been fluent in Spanish earlier so it wasn’t too hard to pick up. However, unlike Spanish, basically every single verb in Italian is irregular, so I spent several weeknights studying in my little room.
On my very first day, my new friend Eddie took me to the Brera district which is just a short walk from Parco Sempione and the amazing Castello Sforzesco, a Medieval fortress that you should definitely visit. Walking the grounds is impressive and imposing at the same time. The museum inside is worth it as well since you can see Michelangelo’s last incomplete sculpture, La Pieta. Magnifico!
Well I’m a bit late to the party since this is my first blog ever. But don’t let that put you off since I have some fab stories to share about living in Italy 22 years ago and my continued obsession with the people, the landscape and the cuisine. Oh, and the wine of course. Plain and simple, I LOVE ITALY!