more pasta… just not made by me!
I am definitely a food tourist. Yes, I love art and music and nature, too. But for me, the best way to really know a place, and to really enjoy it, is through the food.
This is especially true in Italy, where both cuisine and language vary every 20 minutes traveled. Food showcases not only the trade and agricultural profile of a place, but it can also tell us a lot about the history of a people. Whether a dish is born out of necessity, from trade networks, for a religious festival, or just via creative invention, I’m always interested to see what people are eating and why.
Franceschetta 58
Modena, in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna, is a foodie’s heaven. People come from far and wide for the balsamic vinegar, the olive oil, the cheese, and of course, the pasta. The city center is home to two of Massimo Bottura’s restaurants.
Lipari
Lipari is the largest of the “sette sorelle,” the Aeolian islands off the coast of northeastern Sicily. A trip there in the summer of 2019 was filled with natural beauty, perfect swimming conditions, and of course, incredible food.
On the Island of Dreams
Some years ago, in a previous pescatarian life, I took a vaporetto from the outskirts of Venice to the island of Burano. Known for its colorful houses and traditional lacemaking, Burano is where I tasted my first (and only) squid ink spaghetti.