After everyone's first Monday back to work last Monday, Annalisa invited me, Shelly, Francesco, Anna, Giuseppe and her friend, Stefano over for dinner with her roommates, Barbara and Edoardo. They made us a feast of appetizers and spaghetti with andouille-sausage tomato sauce. For dessert, Annalisa made her famous pannacotta with berries. We always have such fun as a group going back and forth between speaking Italian and English and often putting the puzzle pieces together to understand one another.
Annalisa and Giuseppe
Later that week on Friday, Annalisa invited us to her parents house for dinner. Her parents live in Lecce, but after an unfortunate accident, her father is in rehabilitation in Rome and they will be here for quite some time. They are renting a small cottage on the outskirts of Rome in a very quiet neighborhood. The community made me feel like I was at a cabin for the weekend with friends. The living room, kitchen, and dining room are all one small room. There were 10 of us in total and it was plenty of people for this small cottage. Her mom handmade whole-wheat orecchiette and tossed it with broccoli rabe...fantastic!! She then made an artichoke casserole and prosciutto, sausage and mozzarella stuffed cabbage as the main dish. Then came fresh salad. Just as we were starting to get full, she set-out three large blocks of cheese...smoked mozzarella, a brie-type and swiss. Who can ever turn down cheese?!? Ok, ok, so NOW we were feeling a bit more full when out came dessert. First was small pastries from the pasticceria, next came panettone, followed by something we'll call, a little piece of heaven. I don't remember what it's called, but i'm craving it as I sit here and write about it. It's a fried pasta with honey and other ingredients and sprinkles on top. The pasta is crunchy because it's fried and I feel like describing it in words does not begin to give it justice. Trust me on this one! It's only served at Christmastime, so I guess I have to wait another year to try it again.
Annalisa, Shelly, Annalisa's Mom, Me, a family friend, Patrizia (Francesco and Giuseppe's cousin), and Anna
Annalisa's parents are SO sweet and truly enjoy the company of others. They are used to entertaining in Lecce and often miss the social aspect of life now living in Rome. We happily agreed to come back very soon for another wonderful meal!
There is a sentimental feeling I get whenever I am in the home of other Italians for a meal that makes me appreciate food in whole new ways that I feel we often miss out on in America. The importance of family, friends and food is at the top of Italians priorities in life and something they really treasure.
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