On the Land in Umbria

On the Land in Umbria

My Life in Umbria: Anne's biography and how she came to fall in love with Italy.

Umbria's Good Earth and Good People: Moving to a farm in Umbria in 1975 and learning to work on the land.

Viva il Papa!: The planned 2002 visit to Assisi by the Pope, with memories of his 1978 visit.

Hunting for Mushrooms (Funghi Porcini): Finding wild mushrooms in the Umbrian woods.

Harvest Time Past: Bringing in the July harvest in the 1970s.

From Pig to Prosciutto: The traditional winter pig slaughter with a recipe for Pasta alla Norcina.

Ode to "Povero" Alessandro: A local farmer Alessandro and the Festa di Sant'Anna, patron saint for pregnant women.

Rino Stalks the Truffles: Meeting a local truffle hunter, local truffle festivals.

Bread, a Sacred Part of Rural Life: Making bread in the outdoor oven, recipe for Panzanella.

Fall Grape Harvest: Meeting the neighbors, living without running water. Their first fall grape harvest (vendemmia) and fall recipes using grapes.

Olive Gathering Memoirs: Reminiscing about picking olives on the farm in Italy.

Photos

Slow Travel Photos: See larger versions of Anne's photos on our photo gallery.

Anne's Travel Notes

Ischia, the Island of the Universal Garden: Recipes, and some memories, from Ischia.

Palermo's Welcoming Nobility: Touring some of the privately-owned Noble Palazzi (palaces) in Palermo, Sicily.

Black Celery in October: Sagra del Sedano Nero (celery festival) in Trevi, Umbria in late October.

Summer is the Time for Sagra!: The "Primavera Sant'Enea" (Spring in Sant'Enea) sagra and what to expect at summer sagre.

Captivated by Lake Bolsena: The town of Bolsena, on Lake Bolsena in northern Lazio, near the borders of Tuscany and Umbria, has not changed much over the years.

Sicily Volcanoes: Visiting the volcanic islands of Stromboli and Lipari and a motorcycle road trip to Mt. Etna. Hotel/B&B recommendations, restaurant recommendations, and finding fresh Pecorino cheese. Recipe for Penne al Pistacchio.

Pitigliano, Medieval Wonder and Jewish Heritage: Pitigliano, a hill town in southern Tuscany near Lazio, historic Jewish Synagogue, popular local pastry, sfratti.