November News from Elizabeth Minchilli

Elizabeth Minchilli
EATING MY WAY THROUGH ITALY

November 2019 Newsletter

I was just checking my calendar to make sure that today was indeed the first of the month and that it was time to send out my newsletter. These days if I don’t write something down in my calendar, and then set numerous alerts, there is no way I’m going to remember. I like to think that it’s just because I’m doing so much, and has nothing at all to do with my memory or lack there of. It’s a good thing I did look at my schedule just now because I just remembered I have a date to have drinks with my friend Sara tonight (I’d HATE to miss an opportunity to drink!) And also that I have a hair dresser appointment tomorrow. (not as exciting) But the one thing that did kind of shock me, was that tomorrow is my blog birthday.

Ten years ago, on November 2, I wrote my first blog entry. Ten. Years. Ago. I can’t believe that I’ve been at this for so long. For me, the blog thing still seems to be the most recent stage of my career. In other words, I always feel as if I’m new at this. When I first started blogging I did so because it was an outlet for everything I’d previously been writing in ‘traditional’ publishing. I didn’t really have a plan, except to write as much as I could and to do it regularly. And I did. I wrote three entries a week for years and years….And happily it worked. People actually read what I wrote and the writing turned into so much more than I could have dreamed of. I ended up writing more books, and an app. And started a tour company.

The thing that has changed the most is the blog itself. In fact, I don’t really even call it a blog anymore, but ‘my website.’ There have been a ton of articles lately about whether or not blogs are still a thing. I can’t speak for others, but for me my blog , or website, or whatever you want to call it, was always just a way to tell my stories. The stories I used to tell in magazines and newspapers just shifted over the blog in 2009. And today? I still tell stories, but you’re more likely to find them over on Instagram Stories. Or in my books. Or on YouTube. Or this newsletter.

For me it’s always about the stories, and I’ll always be telling them. Whether it’s 2009 and I have a really unfortunate haircut and a really new blog with really bad photographs. Or 2019, with a much better haircut, pretty good photographs and still, amazingly, an infinite number of stories to tell.

What's New

I know I promised that I would announce the dates for 2021 tours (yikes!) this month, but first….I’m not quite finished making plans for 2020 yet, are you? There are just so many places I want to explore, and people I want to hang out with, that I’ve added one more special week.

Next September 2020 Melissa Clark will be joining me for a Culinary Retreat in Puglia! We’ll be staying in two of my favourite hotels, and so able to explore two different parts of this region. The first three days will be at Masseria Potenti, where we will be cooking as well as heading out to explore things like architecture, olive oil and ceramics (not necessarily in that order). We then head to the other coast of Puglia, to Monopoli, where we’ll spend 2 nights at Don Ferrante. One of the best things is that we’ll be visiting 2 very different small sea ports, so things will get fishy. The tour is slightly shorter than my previous ones, only 5 nights. This means that you’ll have plenty of time to head off on your own, before or after our time together. If you’d like to join us send me an email. FYI: I haven't posted this on my website yet, so newsletter readers get the first chance to join us.

If the September trip isn’t working out for you, come explore with Sophie and me in the spring. There are still a few spaces left for our Week in Puglia (April 19-25, 2020) and our Week in Umbria (May 10-16, 2020). I love this time of year in both of these regions. The wild flowers are insane, and we are able to gorge on things like wild asparagus, artichokes and fave beans. We are also adding more cheese making into each of these tours, since the milk that time of year (with animals grazing on bright green new grasses) is so special. Let me know if you’d like more information about our spring tours to Umbria and Puglia.

Ok. Now you are allowed to jump forward to 2021. While it seems like a LONG way in the future, I’ve actually already made all the reservations at the places we’ll be staying. (I want to make sure we get the best rooms!!). You can find information about all of our tours here. Or just send me an email for details.

What I'm Buying

Yes, this is a new section, since why not?! Also, Christmas is coming soon, so presents, right?

Of course I’d love it if you could gift my newest book, The Italian Table, to all your loved ones who love Italian food. And if you really really love them? Gustiamo has put together a box with a few of my favourite ingredients that go into the recipes . You can find the box, which contains a signed copy of The Italian Table, at this link.

And if your friends are coming to Italy this year a copy of either Eating Rome or Eating My Way Through Italy will get them in the mood.

If you are visiting Italy and worried about getting the real thing, when shopping, read this piece by my friend Georgette. She also includes a list of great boutiques in and around Florence.

A lot of people ask me where to shop in Rome. When it comes to food I'm your girl. But fashion? Not so much. That's when I send them to our friend Claudia, a personal shopper (and old school chum of Sophie's) who knows where all the good stuff is.

So many people ask about buying olive oil in the States. You can find my trusted resources here. But if you’d like to order it directly from Italy, my friend Paolo Montioni sells his newly pressed oil on his website. You can see his oils here, and then to order you have to fill out this form. Seems complicated, but it's worth it.

What I'm Reading

In a city like Rome, which is basically one big museum, it should come as no surprise that there are still collections in private hands that remain unseen. Here is one that is finally coming to the light.

And speaking of old art and architecture, is Pompeii on its way to ruin because there are just too many tourists?

Like I’ve always said, eating chicken 4 or 5 times a week is not good for you or the planet.

Upon my sister Jodi’s recommendation (she works in a bookshop) I just started Stephen King’s latest (we are both long time Stephen King fans) and loving it. It hasn’t gotten scary yet. But I’m prepared.

What I'm Eating

I’ve been wanting to make a savoury crostata for the longest time. A jar full of onion jam finally inspired me to make this.

I’m a sucker for a pumpkin. I fall in love with all the shapes and sizes in my farmers market. The problem is I like to keep them around for decoration, and feel kind of guilty cutting into them. But since my dining table is already groaning under their weight (I love me a good gourdy centre piece) I’ll surely be making Pasta with Pumpkin & Pancetta and Pumpkin Risotto in the next two weeks

I won’t be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year since I’ll be in Paris! But if you are, you might find these recipes will come in handy.

And finally.....

Have a wonderful November. Here in Rome I've yet to pull out my sweaters, much less my coats. I'm ready for the cold!! Someone sent me a photo of snow today, I think in Wisconsin? We are still dealing with mosquitos!!

x,Elizabeth