Some things we ought to have (or have as accessible) in America, but don't. WTF, America!? I know that life is frequently a trade-off. Sometimes your packages arrive, and sometimes not-so-much... (to be addressed in a later post, it's just too soon). Sometimes you find an artisanal gelato place; sometimes you just step in dog shit!
Today I got lucky!
After a scrumptious lunch of mackerel, artichokes and potatoes with some good friends (grazie, Mauro e Stefano!) I stumbled upon a wonderful gelateria, or ice cream shop. As is common in Italy, they make their own gelato from scratch daily. Today, their flavors included fresh banana and strawberry! As I only go for the non-dairy, this hit the spot. Absolutely wonderful!
As I haven't joined a gym yet, this place is fortuitously closer to my fiancee's work than to our house!
Here's another great idea:
Who'd have thought of a condom vending machine!?? Even if the pharmacy is closed, this is available to prevent unwanted children! I didn't check for size XXL, though... I brought a stash from the US. Don't worry, only my brothers are having kids so far!
I mentioned Roberto, my vegetable vendor, in my first post -- but he makes a return today! I stopped by his stand today on my way home. I'd picked up a few things at Eataly, but wanted to get some fresh produce for the weekend. I left burdened with too much -- all for about $10! Eggplants; little tomatoes grown with salt water (so the flavor is super-intense); a few varieties of radicchio; tender, young fava beans; Italy's best strawberries; gifts of parsley and oranges; and a weird, new vegetable called agretti, or friar's beard (Fra barba)
I tried Roberto's suggestion of sautéing it in butter/olive oil with smashed garlic, maybe with a little lemon juice or parmeggiano on top. Well, I forgot the garlic. But it tasted amazing!
As a side note, Marco, Roberto's son, says that "Che barba!" means something is annoying... You have to sweep up tonight instead of going out? "Che barba"!
Hi Ben, if that vending machine is facing (mostly) South, your little rubbery friends might have been thermally cycled for several days - if not weeks. In that case, I'd recommend actually going into the pharmacy and buying at the counter. Unless you want your brothers to become uncles, that is... ;)
ReplyDeleteBuon divertimento!
Edo