I think that one of the things I miss most about California is the vegetables. In Glasgow, we can get a few good veggies thanks to Hakim, down the street, who caters to certain ethnic minorities who regard turnips as … well, not food, but who regard ripe tomatoes as normal (otherwise, tomatoes here tend to crunch).
When we set off to Northern Italy, we thought that we’d be enjoying all manner of fresh salads and veggies. This was not the case. We were on the South side of the Alps, in a region which speaks both German and Italian (plus their own local language, Ladin). The folk there … are very different from the Italians, except that they tend to drive with the same reckless craving for speed, swearing vehemently until they get an opportunity to pass. Their difference from the rest of Italy stretches into their cuisine, which more closely resembled Swiss fare than anything else, relying very heavily on milk and cheese, shying away from garlic, basil, tomatoes. All in all, it’s a strange mix.
We really only splurged once on food while we were there, and that was because we were stuck up the side of a mountain and had two choices: eat at a nice place, or eat at the bar/shack next to the tramway/gondola. We chose the nice place, and ended up with a subtly delicate beetroot dumpling (in cream sauce) and some equally subtle ravioli (in olive oil). The bread was great, the views were stupendous, and the food … would not have startled an infant.
Most of the trip was largely a matter of trying to cook for ourselves, so that we’d have some hope of eating something other than the ubiquitous pizza. Pizza was truly everywhere, at every meal. To be fair, it was decent pizza, but just a bit wearing after the first few at lunch and dinner. Pasta … was there, of course, as was pastry, but they were nothing to write home about.
The coffee, though, was uniformly wonderful, as was the chocolate (picture a dark chocolate bar, melted into a cup). We had coffee with a friend the day after we got back, just to confirm that we weren’t dreaming. Glasgow coffee is truly as disgusting as we’d remembered.
In other news, Tanita’s book Mare’s War launches today! For a chance to win a free copy (or some other goodies), visit her at TanitaSDavis.com/blog.
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The beetroot dumplings are so pretty! And the ravioli looks to die for. And the chocolate? Oh many, food porn this early in the morning is *not* a good thing 🙂
Congrats to Tanita for the launch!
Funny to read about food that wouldn't startle an infant…not even that bright red color?? I guess you can have good hot beverages or good veggies…or you can come visit in California and have it all. Trip sounds like fun.
Hot chocolate in Italy and France are great, like you said: a melted dark chocolate bar in a cup. Not like the horrible watery beverages with NO cocoa I can get here in California. YUCK! Tabhita
Many congratulations, Tanita!
A great achievement.
yum–the coffee sounds tasty!
You are too much – food that won't startle an infant… congratulations to Tanita!
beg to differ: the thing you miss the most about California is the opportunity for us to hang out and have a few laughs together. 🙂
congratulations, Tanita!
the food looks interesting and rich; i can smell the coffee from here and the chocolate looks worthy to die for. could i have 8 please? on the other hand, my sweet friend is working the local farmer's markets 2 or 3 times a week which makes for creative, colorful and healthy meals!