An intriguing article in a supplement to the Italian newspaper, the Corriere della Sera, highlighted Porto, Portugal as the top European travel destination of 2024. Coincidentally I was heading there soon after I saw the article. Porto unveiled a delightful array of delicious wines, and seafood delicacies, from succulent grilled cod to savory sardines. However, what truly stole the show was the Portuguese bread, and especially the Broa de Avintes bread. It's nothing short of extraordinary! Dense, moist, and bursting with flavor, this bread became our instant favorite, prompting us to embark on a quest to bring some back to Rome. Listen and then head to the show notes on flavorofitaly.com for the recipe!

Homes for sale in Tuscany Italy? + A Tuscan Home Makeover In this week's episode of my Flavor of Italy podcast, I chatted with Dena Fenza, a prominent figure on Instagram known for her recipes, style tips, and lifestyle content. With nearly 150,000 followers, Dena has captivated audiences with her unique blend of Italian-American heritage and New York living. During the interview, she shared her fascinating journey, from her roots in Brooklyn to her decision to build a life in Italy. Dena's search for homes for sale in Tuscany Italy was methodical and effective and lead to her purchase of a Tuscan farmhouse near Montalcino, in need of restoration. Have a listen to find out all the details:

At cheesemaker La Maremmana in Tuscany, just 2 hours north of Rome, buffalo milk is transformed into a myriad of buffalo cheeses by master cheesemaker Francesco, hailing from the famed dairy region of Battipaglia. La Maremmana produces a range of fresh buffalo cheeses, including hand-stretched buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, yogurt, and burrata. Additionally, inspired by French traditions, aged cheeses grace their repertoire. Rūma: A Taste of La Maremmana in Rome Expanding their reach beyond Maremma, La Maremmana has established Rūma in the heart of Rome. to offer a slice of La Maremmana's culinary excellence to city dwellers and tourists alike. Rūma is both a bottega, where you can shop for quality ingredients, and a bistrot where you can stop to eat.

Traditional Italian Risotto Recipes at Tenuta San Carlo. In this episode Tenuta San Carlo owner, Ariane Lotti, and I explored the Organic Marvels of Tenuta San Carlo: A Journey into Sustainable Rice Farming. Normally we think of rice growing and production in Northern Italy, in the Po Valley, but just two hours north of Rome along the coast you'll find the Tenuta San Carlo rice farm, a wonderful agritourism, and delicious risotto recipes. In the heart of Southern Tuscany lies this haven of organic agriculture, where the marshlands of Maremma have been transformed into a thriving rice farm. This is the story of Tenuta San Carlo, a testament to the dedication of four generations and a commitment to regenerative farming practices.

Unlocking the Charms of Molise: Italy's Best-Kept Wine Secret

Italy, renowned for its illustrious wine heritage, harbors hidden gems beyond the well-trodden paths of Tuscany and Piedmont. Among these treasures lies Molise, Italy's second smallest wine region, nestled between the Adriatic coast and the Apennine Mountains. Despite its diminutive size, Molise boasts a rich viticultural history dating back to ancient civilizations and a burgeoning wine scene characterized by indigenous grape varieties and diverse terroirs. In this episode Scott Barden, sommelier and Molise wine expert, and co-owner of Vine & Soul, and I dig deep into the essence of some of Molise's spectacular wines and native varietals.

The Historical Narrative of Horse Meat Recipes & Cuisine in Italy: When it comes to culinary customs, the journey across different cultures often presents moments of profound divergence. These encounters with unfamiliar foods can evoke a sense of cultural shock, prompting reflections on the intricate relationship between food and society. Horse meat holds a unique place in the culinary landscape of Italy, where it is revered as a wholesome and nourishing delicacy, positioned somewhere between the flavors of beef and venison. Horse meat is often recommended for the young and infirm, believed to possess numerous health benefits due to its lean protein content and rich iron levels. You may be surprised to learn that some well-known multinationals have Italian baby food subsidiaries that have embraced the tradition of horse meat in their product lines: Mellini (a Danone subsidiary) and Plasmon, a subsidiary of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based H. J. Heinz Company. Their products include purees and ready-to-eat meals, and cater to parents seeking nutritious and culturally relevant options for their infants. This is a fascinating, eye-opening podcast episode with @mangiawithmichele and....you just might learn a few recipes! (Don't worry...you can also make them with beef!)

Italian American food and cuisine is a flavorful fusion of Old World Italian traditions and New World influences, shaped by generations of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. It embodies the rich culinary heritage of Italy while incorporating local ingredients and tastes. Italian American food blogger and recipe creator Michele Di Pietro and I dove into the history of Italian American cuisine, and some of the cuisine's best known recipes. We chat about the Italian American Cuisine's best known recipes and their history, and how to make them. Get fready to take notes and do some tasty cooking!

Sicilian Cooking Classes at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in the Heart of Sicily. Tucked away on an estate in the countryside south of Palermo is the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School, a unique center dedicated to preserving and sharing the great food culture of Sicily. The spirit of the school, now run by Fabrizia Lanza, the founder's daughter and scion of a renowned family of winemakers, goes back generations. Visitors to Sicily often sense it to be a place unlike anywhere else—lost in time and a little bit secretive. The school and Fabrizia's 2023 book, the Food of Sicily, opens a bright window on Sicily, celebrating this wonderful food culture while honoring everything that makes it special: a vibrant profile of the land, the people, the history, and so much more. Join me and chef Kyle Pierce as we dig deep into the essence of Sicily and the Anna Tasca Lanza Sicilian cooking classes.

Andrea Semonella, a Genoa local and co-founder of the popular website Discover Genoa, is dedicated to exploring the city. With a passion for food, Andrea and his wife, Marta, share their firsthand experiences and recommendations for the best places to eat in Genoa. We delved into their journey, and the hidden gems of Genoa's culinary scene, and some unique aspects of the city's street food and markets. This is the episode for you if you're interested in delving into the intricacies of Genoa's street food, restaurants, food markets and eateries.

If you think of Romeo and Juliet when you think of Verona you'd be right: Juliet's balcony is right in the city center. Or maybe Verona conjures up all the amazing Veneto wines produced in the area: it's another of Verona's incredible features. BUT: right now it's CARNIVAL SEASON and you may not know it but Verona is perhaps the oldest Carnival Celebration in all of Italy, if not the world! It gets started early in the third week of January with the selection of the new "Papà del Gnocco" and continues on until the Friday before Lent. The highlight is the great parade, with floats and dancers from all over the world who wind their way through the city center....and lots of gnocchi! But why are gnocchi intricately tied into Verona's Carnival Celebration? There's an important historical reason that dates back to 1531; have a listen to find out why!