Living La Dolce Vita: A Day in the Life of an Italian Nonna

 

Image by Willi-van-de-Winkel from Pixabay

Ah, la nonna! In the tapestry of Italian life, if there's one figure that holds everything together with love, warmth, and wisdom, it's the grandmother, or as we affectionately call her, "nonna". Let me, through the eyes of a seasoned Italian man, offer you a glimpse into a typical day in the life of an Italian nonna.

Dawn: Rise and Shine

Before the rooster crows, while the world still slumbers, nonna is already up. The first golden rays of the sun find her in her kitchen, brewing a pot of robust coffee. There's something about the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingled with memories, that starts her day.

Morning: The Market Ritual

Armed with a wicker basket, nonna heads to the local market. She has her favorite stalls: the butcher who knows just the cut she prefers, the greengrocer with the freshest tomatoes, and the fishmonger who saves her the best catch of the day. For her, shopping isn't just a chore; it's a dance of flavors, colors, and conversations.

Midday: Magic in the Kitchen

Lunchtime in an Italian household is an event, and nonna is its maestro. With deft hands and years of experience, she crafts dishes that are not just food, but love made visible. Fresh pasta, simmering sauces, and perhaps a delectable tiramisu for dessert. Her kitchen is alive with the sizzle of olive oil, the melody of simmering pots, and the laughter of visiting grandchildren sneaking a taste.

Afternoon: A Siesta and Stories

Post-lunch, as the sun casts a warm golden hue, it's time for a siesta. But not before nonna shares tales from her youth, stories of love and war, of hardships and celebrations. For the grandchildren, these tales are a bridge to their heritage, a connection to their roots.

Evening: The Heart of the Home

As evening descends, the living room becomes a sanctuary of family. Nonna, in her favorite armchair, is often surrounded by family — children playing, adults conversing. Sometimes, she'd knit, her fingers weaving patterns as intricate as the stories she holds in her heart.

Night: Prayers and Peace

Nighttime is a moment of reflection. With a candle lit beside a cherished family portrait or a saint's statue, nonna offers her prayers. Gratitude for the day gone by, blessings for the days to come.

The Essence of La Dolce Vita

For many, "La Dolce Vita" might evoke images of glamorous Italian movie stars or idyllic Amalfi coastlines. But for me, the real "sweet life" is reflected in the everyday moments of an Italian nonna. Her life is a symphony of traditions, love, and the simple joys that make the Italian way of life truly special.

So, the next time you hear "La Dolce Vita", think of nonna. In her wisdom, warmth, and unwavering love, she embodies the essence of the sweet, beautiful Italian life.

Italian Family Traditions: From Sunday Lunches to Annual Reunions

Ah, the warmth of an Italian family! I've lived more than five decades in the heart of Italy, and if there's one thing that has remained unchanged in all these years, it is our deeply-rooted family traditions. In Italy, family isn't just an institution; it's an emotion, a legacy. Let me share with you some memories and insights from my lifetime.

AI Spaghetti

Sunday Lunches – La Domenica Pranzo

Every Sunday, in households all over Italy, you will find families gathered around a dining table that seems to stretch for miles. La domenica pranzo, or Sunday lunch, is more than a meal; it's a ritual, a time-honored tradition passed down through generations.

The aroma of my mother's homemade tomato sauce – or sugo, as we call it – simmering slowly for hours is something that's imprinted in my soul. I remember, as a little boy, waking up to that scent, knowing that a feast awaited. Lasagne, braciole, osso buco… every region has its specialty, but the common thread is love and abundance.

And it’s not just about the food. It’s about nonna sharing stories of her youth, the little ones playing and laughing, and everyone coming together, leaving behind the week’s worries. In my family, no matter where I was or what I was doing, Sunday was reserved for this sacred meal.

Annual Reunions – Ritrovo di Famiglia

Then there are the grand annual reunions, or ritrovo di famiglia. Imagine a Sunday lunch, but multiply the scale tenfold. Cousins from distant cities, aunts and uncles you haven't seen in months, all converge to a chosen family home or sometimes a picnic spot.

These reunions are where family news is shared, where the newest babies are introduced, and where young ones get to hear tales of their ancestors. It’s a blend of laughter, reminiscing, and of course, good-natured banter. And food? Oh, the tables are laden with dishes, each family bringing their signature preparation. From antipasti to dolci, it's a gastronomic adventure.

In my younger days, I remember playing soccer with my cousins while the adults discussed politics, art, and shared family stories. As the years went by, roles changed, but the essence of these reunions remained intact.

A Pillar of Strength

These traditions, in many ways, have been my pillar of strength. They have taught me the importance of togetherness, of valuing our roots, and of preserving our heritage. It is during these gatherings that recipes are passed down, stories are preserved, and bonds are strengthened.

For many of you reading this, these traditions might seem quaint, or even overwhelming. But for us Italians, this is our soul's sustenance. In a world that’s rapidly changing, our family traditions are our anchor.

So, if you ever find yourself in Italy on a Sunday or during a family festa, and you hear the boisterous laughter echoing from a home or see a large group picnicking in a park, know that you’re witnessing a tradition that has withstood the test of time.

As I sit here, penning down these memories, I am reminded of a saying we have in Italy, "La famiglia è tutto" - Family is everything. And truly, for us Italians, it is.

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I hope you enjoyed this peek into Italian family traditions. It’s a humble offering from a heart that's been steeped in these customs for over fifty years. If ever you're in Italy, and by some twist of fate we meet, know that there's always a seat for you at my Sunday lunch table.

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Umbria Region

Umbria lies smack dab in the middle of Italy. The countryside is unspoiled and dotted with medieval churches. Its fairly gentle terrain is composed of hills, valleys, and small mountains. Umbria is the only region of Italy with neither a seacoast nor a foreign border. But it has lakes, rivers, and even a waterfall. It is known as the green valley of Italy. In spite of this name, until a few decades ago Umbria kept losing population to the more highly industrial north. Its total population is about 830 thousand.

Umbria was settled by the Umbri, perhaps the first inhabitants of Italy. They were forced into the mountains by the Etruscans, who were conquered by the Romans and then the Lombards. The poet Dante considered it the most violent part of Italy.

Umbria is particularly known for pork, dried pasta, and both black and white truffles. It also produces specialty breads and a wide variety of vegetables and meats. Fish and eels from the Tiber River and Lake Trasimeno abound. Cheeses include Pecorino Toscano, reviewed below.

Umbria’s capital is Perugia, a beautiful medieval city with a population of 150 thousand. Among other things Perugia is known for chocolates and Italian as a second language classes. Another famous Umbrian city is Assisi, the home of St. Francis of Assisi.

Umbria devotes about 41 thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 15th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 19.5 million gallons, giving it a 16th place. About 58% of the wine production is white, leaving 42% for red. The region produces 11 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine, and 2 DOCG red wines, Montefalco Sagrantino and Torgiano Rosso. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior.

About 30% of Umbrian wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Umbria is home to about thirty major and secondary grape varieties, about two thirds white.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Chardonnay and Trebbiano. The best known strictly Italian white variety is Grechetto, used in the its flagship Orvieto DOC wines.

Widely grown international red grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, and Merlot. The best known Italian red variety is Sangiovese, now grown elsewhere such as in California.

Before we review the Umbrian wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.

Start with Zuppa di Lenticchie di Castelluccio, Castelluccio Lentil Soup, which with local bread can be a meal in itself.

Later try Porchetta alla Perugina, Roasted Suckling Pig with Wild Fennel, Rosemary, and Garlic.


For dessert indulge yourself with Serpentone delle Monache di Perugia, Nut and Fruit “Snake” of the Capucin Nuns.


OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.


Wine Reviewed


Lungaraotti Pinot Grigio 2004 12% about $12


I haven’t always been happy with Italian Pinot Grigio, or for that matter with non-Italian Pinot Gris. These wines often are weak. However, I thought that this particular Pinot Grigio was a fine wine for its price when it accompanied the right food. The sales literature suggested that this light-bodied, vivid, and balanced wine would be a great match for antipasti. My mistake was pairing it with non-imported antipasti, really more of a mediocre relish, which overpowered the wine. I later tried this wine with cold barbecued chicken in a moderately spicy Thai sauce and was quite pleased. Its citrus flavors really shone. I could taste this wine’s subtle complexity.


Pecorino Toscano is a sheep’s milk cheese that has been made in Tuscany and neighboring Umbria for thousands of years. Soft Pecorino Toscano is white with a tinge of yellow, while semi-hard Pecorino Toscano is pale yellow. It is moderately strong smelling and has a complex nutty flavor. I thought that it blended very nicely into the wine.




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About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com . You can reach him at ital@mail.theworldwidewine.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com