Food and Friends

Before we headed off on our next adventure, a few everyday moments happened that felt too good not to share.

First. I have to tell you about this English Happy Hour we've now attended twice in Follonica. It takes place every second Friday, and we're invited as "native speakers" to help Italians practice and improve their English. 

We met so many lovely people, all genuinely excited to chat with us. Afterward, whoever was free would head out for dinner together--and naturally, the conversation would switch entirely into Italian. So it turned into a wonderful language exchange for everyone involved.

One woman teaches yoga, which means we now have a yoga class to attend where we already know the instructor. We also met a private chef, the owner of a local pharmacy, and so many other interesting people. 

And honestly, in Italy, so much seems to happen through personal relationships and introductions. It really is a culture built around connections and community, so it felt good to create some of those connections ourselves. And even better making connections over pizza!

Fiori di latte, Gorgonzola DOP, noci croccanti, capocollo Toscano, rucola

Speaking of connections....and food....

I guess this post is accidentally becoming all about eating because we finally used the BBQ at the tiny house. 

It was a beautiful day, and our friend Niccolò was very excited about experiencing "American BBQ." Italians seem convinced that all Americans are expert grill masters. Which, I suppose, is a little like assuming every Italian makes fresh pasta.

Still, on this particular day, the stereotype held true.

My dad would have approved of Ira using charcoal briquettes, and he got the grill going like a pro. The meat turned out great, and Ira even made homemade potato salad, which was a huge hit.

All in all, BBQ Numero Uno was a success.

BBQ Numero Uno

And since we're already on the subject of food....

We've still been going weekly to Le Fate Briache, although I realize I haven't been posting all of our meals lately. I figured everyone might eventually get tired of endless food photos. 

But this dinner was especially good, so I had to share.

Antipasti

• Crostini with ricotta and roasted red peppers
• Savory pancake topped with sautéed vegetables
• Fried squash blossoms
• Crescia with local cheese and salumi

One interesting side note: when Caterina told us the crescia originated from Le Marche, we mentioned we had recently visited friends there. When we told her we'd stayed in Sassoferrato, she was stunned--that's where she's from. 

Such a small world. 

She was so happy hearing about the places we'd visited and the things we'd seen there.

Primi

• Spinach gnudi with tomato sauce (marinara)
• Homemade macaroni with carbonara sauce

I'm including a little explanation about gnudi only because I had never heard of them before moving here.

Gnudi are traditional Tuscan dumplings made primarily from ricotta, spinach, and just enough flour to hold them together. They're often described as "naked ravioli," because they're essentially the filling of spinach-and-ricotta ravioli without the pasta wrapper. 

The name comes from ignudi, meaning "naked" in Italian.

Like many Tuscan dishes, gnudi originated as peasant food--a clever way to use leftover ravioli filling without wasting anything.

Gnudi

Homemade macaroni with carbonara sauce

Apparently this was also the week of meeting new people because, before leaving town, we squeezed in one more event: a birthday party.

It was six-year-old Hector's birthday, and his mother, Chiara (one of our Italian tutors), invited us to come meet her family and spend a Sunday afternoon celebrating with them. 

Thankfully, the weather cooperated. The clouds cleared, the sun came out, and we ended up spending the afternoon at a farm...with horses.

I was perfectly happy feeding and petting them.

There was also a magician, which may or may not have been more entertaining for the adults than the children. Chiara and I thoroughly enjoyed the show, while Hector happily played the magician's assistant.

After horseback rides, magic tricks, food, and plenty of conversation, it was finally cake time. 

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" in both English and Italian, which was unexpected but really sweet. The layered cake was filled with Nutella--because chocolate and hazelnut combinations are practically a national requirement in Italy.

Birthday cake

As the party slowly wound down and guests began saying their goodbyes, we realized we'd  stayed much longer than we originally expected. 

But we genuinely had a great time.

Ira ended up chatting with a Scottish golf pro who grew up in Germany and now works in Tuscany. His six-year-old son already speaks English, German and Italian. Meanwhile, I met a Romanian woman who turned out to be only two degrees separated from people we know. 

It's funny how quickly the world can start to feel smaller.

Between language exchanges, shared meals, backyard BBQs, and birthday parties, these past few weeks have reminded us that settling into a new country isn't only about learning the language or navigating bureaucracy--it's about slowly becoming part of the community around you.

Next stop: Modena, home of balsamic vinegar.

Ciao ciao!