Settling in Sicily: A Long Decision, Part 1

May 5, 2012

It took me years–decades actually–to settle in Europe. An adolescent daydream turned into a young woman’s pipe dream, then a middle-aged reverie.

Time flowed fast as a mountain river in spring.

It took my mother’s death to make me really get it. Time is a Thief.

Do you know what I read to her on her deathbed? Under the Tuscan Sun. A book she’d picked out. As her life ebbed away, mine came strangely into focus. A mother’s last gift to a daughter.

Soon afterward I mustered a little courage, went against my cautious nature, and discovered Southeast Sicily.

Never mind that it took me another five years to find the house with the fat green doors. Find it I did.

Cui camina licca, cui sedi sicca.  

Who walks gains, who sits withers.  

(Old Sicilian proverb)

***

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Plump Beauties

April 29, 2012

Sweet spring days…

of broccoflower and purple cauliflower..

Purple Cauliflower in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

What to do with these plump beauties? (Get them from your venditore ambulente, itinerant peddler, or check Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s).

Cut off the cute flowerets and steam until just tender. Beware of overcooking to mush. Ugh.

Sauté chopped garlic and red pepper flakes in hot olive oil. Add the flowerets and sauté briefly. Salt. Pepper. Mash in an anchovy or two if you like (it adds flavor and won’t taste fishy). Toss together with al dente pasta and a bit of the hot pasta water. Top with grated Pecorino, Parmesan, or Grana Padano.

Dish out. Gobble up. Lick your lips. Kiss your fingertips. Drain your wine glass.  Nap.

Broccolini in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Broccoflower, broccolo romanesco, cavolo broccolo romanesco, Romanesco broccoli--or whatever you choose to call it--is sweet & nutty & wonderful.

Purple Cauliflower in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Purple cauliflower lowers your risk for cancer and diabetes!

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Ancient, Abandoned & Alone

April 22, 2012

Blank-eyed homes in green pastures.

Humming with lizards.

Cooing with doves.

Which one is yours?

Sicily waits.

Abandoned House in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Abandoned House in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Abandoned House in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Abandoned House in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Abandoned House in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

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Iconic Italy

April 16, 2012

Herewith a few of my fave Italian icons:

Italian Red Scooter in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Scooters That Smile

Campari Bitters, copyright Jann Huizenga

Bitters That Bite

Laundry on Line in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Things That Quiver on Lines

Italian Flag on Roman Colosseum, copyright Jann Huizenga

Flags That Wave Where Lions Ate Men

Bar in Niscemi, Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Bars That Smell of Sugar and Foam

Red Car in Stone Courtyard in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Cars That Squeeze Where Cars Should Not Go

What’s your Italian icon of choice?

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An Italian Man-Bag Goes to Texas

April 10, 2012

Man bags are everywhere in Sicily, as common as women’s purses.

Policeman with Man Bag in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

Man Bag in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

And so I bought a borsello for my American husband, who gave it the evil eye for about six months. But he broke down one day in Italy, put it on, and soon became so attached to it that he never takes it off. (Perfect fit for the iPad.)

A few weeks ago we ventured into Texas, land of oversized flags, massive vehicles, and cities strangled and mangled by highways. Serious culture shock ensued. For lovers of robust Italianate coffees, being in Texas is like being in the desert with no water.

Desperate, we stood in line at McDonald’s–seemingly the only place in the Lone Star state that you can get anything darker than dishwater (yes, McDonald’s now serves espresso).

My husband visited the loo, Italian borsello over his shoulder. As he was washing his hands, a beefy Texan in worn Wranglers sauntered in.

Spying my husband, the Texan jumped back. “Shoot!” he exclaimed, “Ya scared me fer a minute there! When Ah saw yer purse Ah thought Ah was in the ladies’ room!”

In line at McDonald's in Texas

Himself in line at McDonald's in Texas

 

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