All Things Edible

Over the past couple of weeks we have finally had some REAL Italian food! (Not that the cafeteria isn't great and all...) And we decided to devote this post to food.

This past weekend we stuck around Paderno and even had a visitor from Rome! Alex, Hannah, and I spent the weekend relaxing with friends, eating pizza and gelato, and enjoying the beautiful mountains. To read more about that weekend, visit Alex's blog here: italiannunnsense.blogspot.com

It also just so happened to be the coldest weekend Northern Italy has had in 27 years! The snow was light, though, and it dusted the town quite beautifully. 

Last week CIMBA hosted the first "Formal Dinner" at a hotel nearby. Before attending the dinner we all went to an Etiquette Seminar, where we were taught everything from the right hand to hold your glass in to where to place your hands on the table. It was interesting to hear about the style in which Italian's eat, hopefully I can bring some of the things I learned home! (Although, they don't really acknowledge left-handed people...) The actual dinner was a blast, and the food was amazing! We were served "apertivos" in a big room where everyone could walk around and socialize, then we moved to tables where we were served artichoke risotto, pasta, and the BEST DESSERT EVER. They even gave me my very own sign.

This past week has been full of tests, papers, and projects. We had a nice break on Tuesday though with a "Date with a Professor". This is something that is organized through the program. The professors chose an event they would like to attend, and then about 15 students can sign up to join them. Hannah and I decided to do pasta making with Professor Chope, an accounting professor. We went to a local restaurant and were escorted into the kitchen where we met Luca, the chef. He was the most precious man! We watched as he made the dough for our noodles from scratch, and he even let us help cut the gnocchi. We asked him how long he had been making pasta, and he said "Since I was a little boy! My parents taught me, and their parents taught them." It amazes me every time the deep ties people have to the community here.

LUCA!

First course

Needless to say, the food was incredible. We had a great time chatting with the professor and his wife, and will definitely go back to visit our favorite chef.

 

Tomorrow we leave for a week of travel. We will be going to Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid. Somebody pinch me.

-Megan