Che cavolo fai!? Not all phrases translate well. Che cavolo fai literally means “which cabbage do you make” but, when used by Italians, it rarely has to do with eating. It typically is an exclamation meaning “What are you doing!?” and is usually a heartfelt challenge. But the question is quite applicable at the moment for our kitchen as we have seven types of cabbage in our veggie garden (documentation of some varieties on “Photo Album”). Nature seems to stop on the land but obviously autumn is just the beginning of some necessary rest and in reality life goes on. Because of unseasonably warm weather, besides the cabbage for some weeks we still shall have six types of salad, leek and fennel. Too bad our guest season slows down because not many guests get to appreciate the fall production.
Each year presents itself differently on the land. Last year we harvested almost 6500 kg of olives, about 50% more than the previous highs of the last 20 years. This year? 1900 kg. The dry, sunny weather since March that the guests appreciated took its toll on the olives. But we are happy with our 350 liters of oil in the cellar. Also, with the harvest in by 20 November, time and energy are spared for work on the chapel renovations and the many winter chores on the land and in the villa that need to be dealt with before the 2012 guest season begins. This is the time each year when we sit together to see what income is available to apply to acquisitions and improvements. The list is always longer than the income in this historical villa, but some things will get done.
Having touched the subject of food, the current events in Italy could make one think of minestrone, the “big soup”. What a fascinating country Italy is to live in, to visit, to study and to try to understand. After 17 years as a huge presence in Italian political life, Silvio Berlusconi might be out of the picture. It will take years of analysis and argument to clarify just how huge a presence his has been. No doubt many persons are distraught by his departure, but most of those we know are relieved if not overjoyed. Maybe it’s a skewed opinion from life in Tuscany and with the Waldensians, both known for their skepticism and distrust of the powerful wealthy.
Minestrone can be rich, thick, and nourishing, but each batch is unique and you can never be really sure what the cook threw in. It is a fun challenge to try to figure out just what you are consuming. And Italy? — a fun challenge to try to figure out just what you are consuming!
Now that Berlusconi is out, what lies ahead? No one can tell, in part because of the whole new course of government by economists and technicians. Will they be successful? How long will this last? Certainly the basic resources and the basic problems remain. They were there before Silvio and continue on. The resources (please excuse the clichés) include the natural beauty, the creative and industrious people, the rich variety of deep sub-cultures, the immense historical and artistic heritage, the climate, and the geographical position. The problems include mistrust among regions, organized crime, the underdeveloped South, youth unemployment, and poor civic management. Just what is in this “soup” sitting on our table!?
Then there are elements that are too complex to list clearly as resources or problems. We can put them under the heading “Extra ingredients to consider”: the position in the middle of the Mediterranean and consequent relationship to Europe and the Arab world; the centuries-long complicity/antagonism between the State and the Catholic church; immigration and internal migration for work; the situations of employment, research, and education.
Many persons who visit have the chance to taste the Italian minestrone both in a literal and in a figurative sense.
Each year presents itself differently on the land. Last year we harvested almost 6500 kg of olives, about 50% more than the previous highs of the last 20 years. This year? 1900 kg. The dry, sunny weather since March that the guests appreciated took its toll on the olives. But we are happy with our 350 liters of oil in the cellar. Also, with the harvest in by 20 November, time and energy are spared for work on the chapel renovations and the many winter chores on the land and in the villa that need to be dealt with before the 2012 guest season begins. This is the time each year when we sit together to see what income is available to apply to acquisitions and improvements. The list is always longer than the income in this historical villa, but some things will get done.
Having touched the subject of food, the current events in Italy could make one think of minestrone, the “big soup”. What a fascinating country Italy is to live in, to visit, to study and to try to understand. After 17 years as a huge presence in Italian political life, Silvio Berlusconi might be out of the picture. It will take years of analysis and argument to clarify just how huge a presence his has been. No doubt many persons are distraught by his departure, but most of those we know are relieved if not overjoyed. Maybe it’s a skewed opinion from life in Tuscany and with the Waldensians, both known for their skepticism and distrust of the powerful wealthy.
Minestrone can be rich, thick, and nourishing, but each batch is unique and you can never be really sure what the cook threw in. It is a fun challenge to try to figure out just what you are consuming. And Italy? — a fun challenge to try to figure out just what you are consuming!
Now that Berlusconi is out, what lies ahead? No one can tell, in part because of the whole new course of government by economists and technicians. Will they be successful? How long will this last? Certainly the basic resources and the basic problems remain. They were there before Silvio and continue on. The resources (please excuse the clichés) include the natural beauty, the creative and industrious people, the rich variety of deep sub-cultures, the immense historical and artistic heritage, the climate, and the geographical position. The problems include mistrust among regions, organized crime, the underdeveloped South, youth unemployment, and poor civic management. Just what is in this “soup” sitting on our table!?
Then there are elements that are too complex to list clearly as resources or problems. We can put them under the heading “Extra ingredients to consider”: the position in the middle of the Mediterranean and consequent relationship to Europe and the Arab world; the centuries-long complicity/antagonism between the State and the Catholic church; immigration and internal migration for work; the situations of employment, research, and education.
Many persons who visit have the chance to taste the Italian minestrone both in a literal and in a figurative sense.
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