October 2016 Newsletter from Elizabeth in Rome

october 2016 newsletter

Do you find time just runs faster as we get nearer to the end of the year? Like, was there even a September? And what the hell happened to the first week of October? This newsletter is supposed to go out the 1st of the month, but for the life of me I can’t be sure that day actually existed.

But I am glad it’s finally fall. I love this time of year not only for the colors, but the cool weather and the crisp clear skies that fill with fluffy white clouds over Rome. We’ve even had a few huge thundershowers which sounds bad, but is actually quite exciting when it hasn’t rained for months.

Also? I love cooking this time of year. The fact that it get’s dark earlier, means I can head down to the kitchen and just start cooking without feeling guilty. I’ve also pulled out the bourbon since that seems much cozier than the gin and tonics or even a negroni.

As I’m writing this, I’ve just come back from the Farmer’s Market with 4 different kinds of winter squash. I’m not quite sure what it going to happen with it yet, but I’m thinking some kind of soup? What’s your favorite fall dish to make?

what's new

It always surprises me that people who follow me on social media often don't know what I do. And by 'do' i mean primarily write about food. Because social media has become so image driven, a lot of people know me only through my photographs, and don't realize that I even have a blog. I'm constantly responding to queries about my favorite restaurants all over the place. And of course my answer is: 'Have you had a look at my blog/apps/books yet?" And they don't know!

While my new books won't be out for another year, Eating Rome will get you started at least on Rome. And for the rest of Italy? there is my app Eat Italy. I am constantly updating the app, not only adding new discoveries but also having my brilliant technicians work behind the scenes on the software that makes it all run smoothly. In fact a big software update just happened last week, so if you do own Eat Italy make sure you update it through the App Store on your phone.

Another big announcement is a new feature that I'll be rolling out in the next few months. Eat Italy currently offers 6 city guides as in app purchases. I charge for these guides since they are big and I spent a LOT of time and effort writing and photographing them. But I also realized I have a lot of information for other towns, cities, and regions that are not so complete. So I will begin to roll out these mini guides FOR FREE! The first up will be Puglia, and soon to follow will be Naples and Friuli. In other words, if I've traveled there, expect to be able to download my picks soon thereafter.

The Week in Rome Tour with Evan in March was so popular that it filled up in less than 10 days. Evan and I are busy trying to find time to plan another trip in the Fall. Maybe Umbria? But in the meantime I still have 2 spots open for the week with Sophie and me beginning March 12 as well as 6 spots in November . Let me know quickly if you'd like to join us.

travels

I've started working on both new books big time. This means LOTS of travel, which has been tremendous fun. I started the month of September in Sicily where I learned how to make tomato paste the extremely old fashioned way. I watched, in the course of a few days, tomatoes go from field to watery puree to the most intense paste. And the only thing that worked this magic was the hot Sicilian sun. I also came away with lots of recipes including this one for green beans.

Sophie, Emma and I went to Naples for the day. I always forget how easy this is to do from Rome. The fast train means that you're there in under an hour an a half. Barely time to read the paper. We visited the modern art museum MADRE before heading down Spaccanapoli and having a pizza fritta at Dal Presidente and a pizza a portifoglio at Matteo. That was only a snack though, and we had a fishy lunch at the hole-in-the-wall Peppino. A coffee at Gambrinus and a long walk along the water and we were back in Rome by the late afternoon.

Another place that's easy to get to from Rome? Paris. If you plan ahead of time the low cost air fairs are cheaper than a train ticket in Italy. And if you find a friend to stay with (I'm lucky I have Ann!) it's even cheaper. :) I was there for a Hillary fundraiser organized by Ann and it raised 10,000 Euros! The silent auction included tours donated by David Lebovitz, Alexander Lobrano, Dorie Greenspan Lindsey Tramuta and Patricia Wells. What else did I do? Had savory crepes here, Cambodian food here, a totally indulgent breakfast here and a fantastic dinner at Fulgurances with David and Ann and that David wrote about here.

Sophie and I spent five full days in Torino for this year's Terra Madre Salone del Gusto. I was there mostly to talk to producers, finding food artisans that had come from all over Italy. Besides attending one of the biggest food fairs ever Sophie and I also had great dinners at Consorzio, Banco Vino Alimenti, and Antiche Sere. If you are interested in my other Torino favorites their are all on my app.

what I'm reading

My reading this past month has been based a lot on my travels. I've been re-reading Fabrizia's cookbook of Sicilian recipes and my trip to Naples made me re-read Ann's article on the Naples represented in Ferrante's books.

And before staying with Ann in Paris I reread her lovely book Eating France.

But speaking of Ferrante I guess we now know her real name.

Loved this article on the new book 10 Restaurants that Changed How We Eat

Julia Moskin visited Umbria and found it delicious. (but we knew that already)

Elisabetta Povoledo also went to Umbria, to find out all about ancient fruit varieties.

Dietary Studies: take them with a grain of salt. Or not. Because most of them can’t be trusted.

I’ve just finished Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth and absolutely loved it.

and finally....

Although it’s not quite put-on-your-coat weather here in Rome, I have at least pulled out my sweaters for chilly evenings. I’ve also pulled out a few of my favorite fall soup recipes. Are you in a soupy kind of mood too?

Butternut squash and Farro Soup
Swiss Chard and Bean Soup
Roasted Carrot Soup
Dried Fave and Tuscan Kale Soup

Let me know if you have any favorite fall soups!

x,Elizabeth