I can't.
How's that for a post?
In all seriousness, I have to begin with the table. The table here in the kitchen has at least 4 LEAFS in it. FOUR. Quatro. WOW. It is HUGE. Clearly it is the center of the room and the center of the home in many respects. And as people show up, it just grows. Kinda neat, huh?
And then there is the time these meals are served. Lunch is usually served about 1:45ish. And isn't over until about 3. Yes. Over an hour. Dinner is usually ready about 7:45ish. And isn't over until about 9. I have to tell you that last night Byron went downstairs at about 11pm to grab my camera and he said that Quinto was fixing himself a snack. At 11 pm? After the HUGE dinner we had just eaten. It made me laugh.
And now to tantalize you with some of the yummies Melissa has prepared for us during our time thus far. And keep in mind that most of it is fresh from their farm. And all of the sauces are homemade. We've had rigatoni in a red (meat) sauce that was so savory it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. We have had stuffed olives. Yes, olives. Which I don't even eat at home. But here, oh here, they stuff them with sausage and then batter and fry them. What's not to love! They are soooooo good. The sausage here is so spicy (but not in a hot spicy way, in a yummy savory way). That has probably been my favorite so far, after the olives. No. Cancel that. My favorite has been the tortellina in a white sauce. OMG. It was so creamy and delicious with these bits of pancetta and fresh parmesan cheese on the top. Incredible! Tonight we had chicken for dinner. Perhaps it was the chicken whose crowing woke us up this morning! HA! And thankfully Max speaks English b/c when he saw the feet and the neck on the platter, he couldn't contain his surprise. It was quite funny. Melisa also served quail. None of us had the quail, just the chicken. Mario (Melisa's father) tried to convince me to try it, but I politely declined. ;) Melisa asked me if we had ever had gnocci. I shared with her that it was one of my favorites. She was surprised when I told her that at one of my favorite restaurants at home, it is served in a white sauce. She said that it is traditionally served in a red meat sauce here. I think she said we'll be having it for lunch one day this week. I can't WAIT!
And now let me tell you about the quantity of food. I don't understand how people here aren't as big as a house. For lunch, we have pasta first. A FULL bowl of pasta. Then there is the main course, which is usually a meat (so far we've had chicken cutlets, meatballs, and sausage). Then there are the sides. So far those have been tomatoes with fresh olive oil (Byron's new favorite), a corn salad, stuffed olives, or potatoes. Then after that, everyone has fruit. Usually oranges from the trees outside or apples. Then there is coffee--Italian coffee. Not American. We have now gotten used to Italian coffee (espresso). Oh, and then there's the wine. Obviously it is made by Quinto with grapes they grow here. It is so good. Not too strong. But soooo delicious! Lunch has been a bit bigger of a meal than dinner. Dinner is usually a meat, no pasta, and a few side dishes. Oh and after dinner there is the lemoncello. For those that don't know what lemoncello is, it is basically lemon zest in everclear alcohol then a little sugar mixed in. You only drink a TINY bit (small shot glass) at a time b/c it is so strong. For me and Byron who don't drink often, it has been interesting....but it is just so good, you have to try it!
Now for a few photos. Here are a few photos from today's dinner:
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