An Italian Family Barbeque

Trip to Italy - Journal Entry #24 - September 28, 2009 - 8:30am

When we returned from our trip to Portalbera, we found that Rosita's side yard and driveway had been turned into party central. There was a huge, long table with over 20 chairs -- fully set for our barbeque. Maurizio was at the grill and Barbara was uncorking a variety of wines, champagne and other drinks. Nikki was putting plates of food on the table, and everyone was generally flying around the yard.

Here we met Roberto's best friend, Gianni, and his daughter Cecelia. Gianni visited Dad, with Roberto, back in March, and Dad really took a shine to him -- I think because he's such a good cook! He's also a very nice guy. And his daughter is delightful. She is about to begin her studies at the local university this fall.

It wasn't long after our arrival that we were served drinks. I chose champagne. And then the food began. In Italy, there is never just one appetizer; rather, there are many. We started with cold salami and boiled salami and bruschetta with tomato and basil. There was also italian bread with a tomato spread. Then, the meal really began. We ate thinly sliced, grilled eggplant, grilled yellow and green peppers, grilled pork, and grilled chicken. Most of what we had this day was grilled and the master chef was Maurizio.

There was also a lot of bread on the table and this reminds me to comment on the way that portions are sometimes served here. Everyone uses their hands to pass food around! For example, Barbara was distributing bread the way most of us deal cards. Using her hands, she put a piece of bread - or two - next to each person's plate. Hands are also used to distribute everything else on the table. If someone wants a piece of chicken and the platter is in front of you, instead of passing the

plate down the table, you are expected to just pick up a piece, with your fingers, mind you, and pass it down! It's a miracle these people are so healthy.

Back to the food. Our next "course" consisted of very salty beef (in very tiny cubes) on a skewer along with some grilled sausage. You have to remember that each item was presented one at a time and I kept thinking I'd seen the last course, and then something else

would show up! Dessert was the same way. Nikki brought out a huge bowl of fruit salad and served cups to everyone. Then Renza appeared with two huge 2-gallon cartons of gelato. She put huge spoonfuls of gelato on top of the fruit.

And then a beautiful sheet cake appeared (pineapple and cream). Cecelia made the cake. It was excellent. But that was not all. There was also a fruit tart that Antonia prepared. I took a slice to be polite, but, at this point, I thought I was going to burst. I could only eat a couple bites. I was a full as full can be. I should also mention that we were served several types of wine during dinner and we finished up with a very special champagne. And most, if not all, of the

wines we drank were local vintages.

What an amazing meal. When it was done, I was sure that it would be several days before I would need any further nourishment.