Cibo, Cibo e tante Cibo

Richetto prepares the zucchini for market.

Taking hours to eat a meal, preceded by hours to reach said meal......one would think it would be time for a nap.

However, I felt that the best approach would be to power through and keep myself active and awake until Roman bedtime.

We decided to take a post pranza walk ~ the weather was beautiful.....a clear blue sky and seventy degree weather. We began to walk up the road towards the other houses. As we approached Anna Maria's home, we were greeted by an enormous white dog. It was friendly enough, but we kept walking because poor little Anna Maria was under the weather.

Further up the road we came to Richetto's home. As we rounded the house, we could see a group of people working in the shed. 5 family members were tying bunches of zucchini blossoms together, that would be making their way to market later that night. We were warmly greeted by Zio Richetto, Zia Fausca, Giuseppina, Rachele, Emma and Flavio. Mario and Fausta from Venice were also there pitching in with prepping the zucchinni.

Just a little farm background:

All of the property of the 3 houses stands on farm land. The land was owned by my great grandfather's brother. When he died, the land was divided into 3 parcels for 3 of his children. Mario, Anna Maria and Richetto. The other daughter was given the home in Ostra Vetere in the Marches where our family originally came from. The 3 children are all older now. Richetto and his wife still work very hard, but thier land is worked by thier son-in-law Massimo. (possibly the dreamiest and nicest man in all of Italy) Anna Maria's land is worked by her son Paoulo. And Mario's land is also worked by Paoulo.....None of Mario's children chose the farming life.

It is always great fun to see the activity that is going on at Richetto's. Massimo has worked very hard to bring more modern farming techniques to his property. Everyone helps out in preparing the vegetables for market.

Despite the fact that we had just eaten an enormous meal ~ Marisa and I had one thing on our minds.....would we get to eat some of the blossoms too?! They were a family favorite. No doubt fearing that we might want to eat the blossoms before they made it to market, Giussy stepped in and invited us on a walking tour of the new greenhouses and fields. We were walking thru the fields, admiring tomatoes, fennel, broccoli, zucchini....and being followed by a passel of kids and the 2 dogs on Richettos farm. The giant german shepherd Orso and the new puppy Macchia. (Macchia is essentially Spot in english) How cute is that?!

Spending time visiting - Giussy explained that the previous week, all of the olive trees had been harvested and the oil pressed. Almost immediatley there was a buzz in the air about making sure we would have bruschetta that night. People were shouting, talking, giving thier opinion, calling other family members...all in grand discussion of the bruschetta.

There is a passion for food here ~ imagine a heated Meet the Press with the topic of how to achieve the perfect Bruschetta.

After romping thru the fields, playing with the children and the dogs....we headed back to the house for Cena. (Dinner!)

Cena is typically a very simple affair, a plate of sliced meats, some cheese, a bit of bread, wine, fruit....e basta.

We returned to discover that we would be starting the meal with the fresh pressed olive oil on our bruschetta! Alas, all of the conversation had lead Paoulo to go out and get the bread we would need.

The table was filled with bottles of the new oil. Bread was scattered on the table, and Maurizio began to rub the oil onto the toasted bread....

Unlike the over the top versions seen here in the US......this was simply divine. Toasted bread, rubbed with olive oil, drizzled generously with the fresh pressed oil and finally a sprinkling of sea salt.

Heavenly.

Chiarinna did not disappoint with the rest of the meal.....platters of sliced, cured meats were set out, a salad, some of the leftover roasted chicken and salad reappeared. We lingered for a few more hours over wine and sambucca.

I could feel my eyelids growing heavier, and heavier.....but was reluctant to let this first day end.

I finally headed up the 3 flights of stairs and slipped into bed. The darkness was still, the leaves in the olive trees were rustling....you could hear the soft animal sounds coming from outside....and sleep came swiftly..........

Can you imagine a better first day?