South Tyrolean Branzoll Once every winter, several townships and villages in South Tyrol celebrate the ancient winter tradition of Nikolaus and Krampus. The celebration predates the Council of Trento (1545-1563) and probably the very early Crusades when, after 1095 A.D., Christians and Muslims fought over the Holy Land and the Spice Trade. Several Crusades were … Continue reading SOUTH TYROLEAN KRAMPUS AND NIKOLAUS – SAINT NICHOLAS OF MYRA, OF BARI, OF MANHATTAN AND LANCASTER, PENSYLVANIA
TWELVETIDE IN PENNSYLVANIA
Christmas in Pennsylvania with Santa, St. Nick, and gift giving
APULIA – A REGION OF SUNSHINE, ANCIENT HISTORY AND SUPERB FOOD
Halfway between Lucera and Andria, Apulian towns famous for their fort-castles built during the middle of the 13th century by the Norman German Frederick II (1194-1250), Holy Roman Emperor , King of Sicily, King of Italy and King of Jerusalem, and 40 minutes away from the port city of Bari, I discovered a portion … Continue reading APULIA – A REGION OF SUNSHINE, ANCIENT HISTORY AND SUPERB FOOD
ON WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN AND FOOD… SALZBURG, VIENNA, AND NORTHERN ITALIAN ROVERETO

While the international music world celebrates, especially in Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday, there is the small northern Italian town of Rovereto, which has not forgotten another famous 18th century composer prodigy who visited three times the township: the Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born in Salzburg, Austria, on January 27th, 1756, fourteen years before … Continue reading ON WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN AND FOOD… SALZBURG, VIENNA, AND NORTHERN ITALIAN ROVERETO
CHILI PEPPERS, CHOCOLATE MOLE AND TEXAS STYLE CHILI – FOR A CORONA VIRUS QUARANTINE DIET

Wild chili peppers - © Elisabetta Giacon 2020 - - By now I am sure, those of us who followed updated TV and radio news about the Corona Virus Scare, and those who received stay-well calls or messages from all over the world, will agree with me; we need a break from bad news in … Continue reading CHILI PEPPERS, CHOCOLATE MOLE AND TEXAS STYLE CHILI – FOR A CORONA VIRUS QUARANTINE DIET
STOCCAFISSO OR BACCALA’ – NORWEGIAN COD FOR TRADITIONAL NORTH ITALIAN WINTER DISHES –

Traveling throughout Northern Italy during the winter months, if you find trattoria-menues featuring dishes called either stoccafisso or baccala', what should you expect? Simply explained: Stoccafisso is the distortion of the term Stockfisch used by the ancient Hanseatic Alliance Germans who exported and distributed dried cod usually from Bergen throughout Central Europe, including Northern Italy. … Continue reading STOCCAFISSO OR BACCALA’ – NORWEGIAN COD FOR TRADITIONAL NORTH ITALIAN WINTER DISHES –
THANKSGIVING IN NORTHERN ITALY? PREPARE FOR IT! BEFORE THIS YEAR’S 28TH OF NOVEMBER
Are you planning to celebrate Thanksgiving in Northern Italy? Take care of orders and ingredients at least a week before this year's 28th of November! Unless you live on an American base, or your hotel or "pensione" is run by Americans for Americans be aware that Italians serve turkey at Christmas and not at Thanksgiving! … Continue reading THANKSGIVING IN NORTHERN ITALY? PREPARE FOR IT! BEFORE THIS YEAR’S 28TH OF NOVEMBER
LA CIOCCOLATA DEI MISSIONARI – Bestiame, frumento, e l’eredita’ di Padre Kino nel Messico settentrionale e in Arizona

LA CIOCCOLATA DEI MISSIONARI - Bestiame, Frumento, e l'eredita' di Padre Kino nel Messico settentrionale e in Arizona - Storia e Ricette [Cover price Euros 22] This book authored by Elisabetta and published by Italian publisher Osiride features the passionate story of the Northern Italian missionary Padre Kino (Eusebio Chini) who between 1681 and 1711 … Continue reading LA CIOCCOLATA DEI MISSIONARI – Bestiame, frumento, e l’eredita’ di Padre Kino nel Messico settentrionale e in Arizona
MARIO PEGHINI’S HIKING, BIKING, WALKING ALONG THE PATHS OF WORLD WAR I
ITINERARI AL FRONTE SUI SENTIERI DELLA GRANDE GUERRA... How I wish that all those who like to visit the regions of Trentino, Lombardia [Lombardy], Alto Adige [South Tirol], Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia were able to read in Italian Mario Peghini's hiking, biking, walking guide - a guide which not only takes us WWI and … Continue reading MARIO PEGHINI’S HIKING, BIKING, WALKING ALONG THE PATHS OF WORLD WAR I
TRENTO DOC WINES – TEROLDEGO, MUELLER THURGAU, NOSIOLA, MARZEMINO, AND SPARKLING BUBBLY WHITES

TEROLDEGO ROTALIANO Served during the famous Council of Trento (1545-1563) the red Teroldego might as well be considered the prince of Trentino's red wines. To recognize its authentic provenience and local denomination in 1971 the name Rotaliano was added referring to the plain where this wine thrives best. With its origin lost in wine history, … Continue reading TRENTO DOC WINES – TEROLDEGO, MUELLER THURGAU, NOSIOLA, MARZEMINO, AND SPARKLING BUBBLY WHITES