Flavor of Italy podcast

Eggs in Italy – what you need to know, plus some curiosities about Italian eggs that'll surprise you: why are Italian eggs never refrigerated? Why …

If you want to know all about local Venice wines then don't miss this episode!
Like the Venissa winery right in the heart of the Venice Lagoon. Make a day of it: the winery is a special and unique place to visit with a …

The Latinist is a modern day reimagining of the Apollo and Daphne myth, a page-turning suspense novel of power, ambition, love and obsession. The …

Five artisanal Italian designers you need to know: Manfredilab Rome, a shared venue to showcase 5 women Italian designers.

Manfredilab, Rome - where …

Whenever I'm in Naples I make sure to head to a Neapolitan pastry shop so I can pick up some of the very best of Neapolitan pastries like Pastiera …

Jacobini wine is a NEW fresh and crisp organic IGP white wine, produced in the rolling hills of Ariccia just south of Rome in the Lazio region.
The …

Culinary tours tend to be repetitive so why not add a unique twist to your fabulous food week in Italy? 
Think about this: Italy is tied for the …

Mystery and intrigue in Venice are the backdrop for Rob Samborn's debut novel about souls trapped in Tintoretto's Paradise and a Venetian secret …

A "pandemic pivot" born out of necessity turned into a whole new business, Beehive Bagels.
Beehive Bagels delivers real American bagels in Rome and …

Elisa's goal was to share authentic Italian pasta with Americans so they could experience delightful and delicious Italian pasta: fresh egg-based …

Anchovies are the number one umami-rich food and there are all kinds of ways to incorporate anchovies into your recipes – as the protagonist or as an almost imperceptible magic ingredient.
Anchovies are one of the most …

In the case of church bells in Rome it's unlikely there's anyone ringing the bells up in the bell tower because almost all Roman churches now have an …

This week the Flavor of Italy podcast hit a milestone: 100 episodes! We've been celebrating all week – head to the show notes  to find out how we've been celebrating!
AND a special Thank You to Feedspot for including …

Lazio is starting to rock as a wine producing region with some wonderful Lazio wine producers doing great things to raise the profile of Lazio wines. …

I'm an Italian coast and island person and I loved chatting with Elisabeth, Blue Star Positano owner about their private boat tours, daylong cruises and boat rentals that offer unforgettable Amalfi coast experiences.
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Cooking and traveling with Ursula Ferrigno: Italian culinary educator, cookbook author and leader of occasional small group tours to Italy.
Ursula’s …

Pamela Sheldon Johns - travel itineraries, Tuscan accommodation, organic olive oil and cookbooks.
Pamela and her husband Johnny own and run Poggio …

Listen to today's fascinating chat with food historian and cookbook author Francine Segan: she's written six cookbooks and lectures worldwide on Italian food topics.
Mario Batali says that "food historian and author …

The Flavor of Venice is cicchetti and an ombra (small glass of wine), chocolate & coffee tastings, Murano glass, Burano lace and color, gondolas.
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Until I came upon Kenneth R. Rosen's article, the Joy of Casting in Italian Waters, I'd never associated the pleasure of fly fishing with Italy. It turns out that fly fishing is indeed a passion throughout Italy and …

The historic holiday Baj Panettone is made with a 100 year old mother yeast. Cesare Baj, the 7th generation owner of the Baj Panettone company, …

The chat today about holiday wines for 2021 with my go to sommelier Cynthia Chaplin delves into lots of wonderful wines, many new to me.
In this blog …

Cookbooks make great holiday gifts and here's a round up of some to choose from, most of them with an Italian twist. If you're interested in building …

It's holiday gift guide time once again, just in time for Black Friday. If you subscribe to my newsletter you’ve already received my holiday gift …

What I love to see in a cookbook are stories that give context and history to the recipes, great photographs that help tell the recipe stories, and …

The Rome Sustainable Food Program (RSFP) at the American Academy prepares community style daily meals for the fellows and also maintains a rich organic garden and orchard. Head chef Kyle Pierce and I chatted about the …

Most people think of Italy in terms of fashion, fabulous travel destinations and outstanding food but technological and scientific innovators, …

It's time to make the leap in 2021 for a Thanksgiving and holiday menu change: choose Roast Pig as the NEW Roast Turkey this year, and give your menu …

The Flavor of Italy Culinary Walking Tour of Rome is the number one way to take a deep dive into the very best of Roman cuisine.
Today Andrew Cotto, …

Sicilian travel designer Angela Macaluso shared the history of the monsù cuisine in Sicily. It dates back to the 17th century when French nobility traveled to Sicily, along with their chefs (the monsù), who created a …

Citrons, the most ancient and aromatic citrus fruit, first came to Italy in 200 BC. It has almost no juice but the perfume and aroma of the peel and …

The annual Peperoncino Festival in Diamante, Calabria is a celebration of the local hot chili pepper, the Diavolicchio Diamante.
Calabrian tour guide …

Artisanal organic cheese made at the Alba Farm in the hinterland of the tiny Molise region is outstanding and a visit to the Alba Farm to sample …

At the Dante Alighieri Verona-based wine estate, Possessione Casal dei Ronchi, the Alighieri's have been making excellent Valpolicello and Amarone …

What do you actually know about women in Italy who have done extraordinary things over the centuries, and in many different fields? Now's your chance to learn about two trailblazing women in 19th century Italy: Italian …

If you're looking for a spectacular holiday at a breathtaking estate in Tuscany with outstanding food and wine just a short drive to both Siena and …

Don't leave Italy without trying these delicious iconic Italian sandwiches and panini. My top ten you have to try before you leave Italy!!
Today we also chat about some other great sandwiches and panini worldwide, …

Three books by Ettore Farrattini go hand-in-hand to represent his family history, and the history of Palazzo Farrattini and Amelia.
And this history also extends to Rome: did you know that the Piazza di Spagna used to …

Leonardo da Vinci's Vineyard & his Malvasia di Candia Aromatica Wines: the "wine" side of the genius. He invented the corkscrew, the spit, and …

For perfect food and travel photos you can't go wrong if you follow these 15 simple tips shared by professional food photographer, Terri Salminen.
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Deruta hand-painted ceramics and pottery began as far back as the Renaissance and for the past four generations Giovanni Baiano and his family have been a key part of this local artisanal industry. Giovanni's wife, …

Great summer pasta recipes for delicious and easy summer entertaining or family meals: the top 20 summer pastas from Italian food influencers @mangiawithmichele and @flavorofitaly.

Ditch your Rome bucket list and explore Rome by neighborhood instead, starting with the amazing Trevi Fountain neighborhood. You always think Trevi Fountain when you're in this area and then you head to other major …

For the best summer desserts of 2021 look no further than Letitia Clark's new book, La Vita è Dolce (Life Is Sweet). Letitia wrote the book during …

Don't miss out on Rome neighborhoods like the Cavalleggeri: it's just on the other side of the Vatican & St. Peter's Square & half the price!
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Eating and traveling vegan in Italy: the top 9 tips for joyful vegan eating in Italy to make your Italian food experience amazing! 
Listen to today's …

Rimessa Roscioli Wine & Food Experiences in Rome: the most recent delicious addition to the four Roscioli food venues in Rome that opened just a …

If you want to experience great music in Rome check out violinist Robert McDuffie (Bobby), his rare Guarneri Gesù violin & the Rome Chamber Music …

If you’re looking for recipes that reflect the wonderful food of Calabria then the book for you is Rosetta Costantino‘s My Calabria. Think amazing …

Everyone has missed travel to Italy this past year and a half and  lots of you want to take a deeper dive into Italy and the Italian culture than you …

The top 5 places in Italy to buy gorgeous hand-painted Italian ceramics: towns that are a MUST to visit, in five different Italian regions. Learn about what makes each of these towns unique, and the regional items …

If you’d like to experience DOP balsamic vinegar, known as the black gold of Modena, there’s no better way than to take a deep dive into one of the …

Piedmont is a remarkable wine region and produces more DOCG wines than any other Italian region, including the three outstanding lesser known reds …

Many may think that art access to the wonders of the Vatican Museums from the paintings to the sculptures and the gardens can only be enjoyed by …

Discover Sardinian food: Letitia Ann Clark, gifted painter & illustrator, & author of the acclaimed Sardegna-inspired cookbook, Bitter Honey.
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Cookbook author Domenica Marchetti is all about Abruzzo food, her Abruzzese heritage and her cookbooks, classes and food tours to Italy.
Domenica is an Italian American with 100% Italian blood lines that trace back to …

Andrea Smith's still-life paintings feature wonderful seasonal vegetables like artichokes & fava beans for Vignarola.
When I came across her …

In this Flavor of Italy Podcast episode Tina Prestia and I chatted about three classic Emilia Romagna regional recipes, Classic vs Tweaked recipes …

Listen to this deep dive interview with food and lifestyle blogger Teri Turner of No Crumbs Left, and the secret sauce of her success. Photos and links in the show notes at flavorofitaly.com.

The driving force behind everything author Andrew Cotto writes is food, and almost exclusively Italian food. This week Andrew and I chat about his latest book, Cucina Romana, plus lots of other things Andrew has written.

Last week James Martin and I chatted about our travels through the Le Marche region and in today’s episode we share the best of the region’s food and local recipes.
The region has a long Adriatic coastline and inland …

Le Marche is one of Italy's top regions where you can still experience the "real" and genuine Italy: its gastronomy, exquisite Adriatic coastline and mountainous areas all filled with monasteries, caves and artisans at …

Holly Grabow has been charming me for years with her delightful Puglia Stories mostly centered around the ordinary life of her wonderful in-laws. …

Time to explore the often overlooked Valtènesi in the Lake Garda wine region, the Conti Thun Winery and two unusual local grapes: groppello and marzemino. Sommelier Cynthia Chaplin takes us to this amazing wine region …

I don’t think there’s a single visitor to Rome who doesn’t have the Trevi Fountain on their bucket list, and yet there are six surprising facts about the Trevi Fountain you’ve never heard before. In today’s podcast …

The lure of the Mediterranean Diet: what is it, where did the expression come from and how does Italy fit in - or not? This is one of the topics we cover in Part 2 of Chewing the Fat. 
Be sure to catch Part 1 and head to …

In this episode, the first of two parts, I chat with Karima Moyer-Nocchi, author of Chewing the Fat, an Oral History of Italian Foodways from Fascism …

Although umami is most frequently associated with Asian cultures and foods some of the most umami rich foods in the world are inherent in Italian …

Deep dive into Italian Buffalo Mozzarella:
Delicious milky and soft buffalo mozzarella cheese is made from Italian water buffalo milk (not to be confused with the North American concept of a buffalo which is actually a …

My conversation with Cristina Bowerman, the Michelin star chef from Glass Hosteria in Rome, is divided into two podcast episodes. In part 1, Episode 42, Cristina and I chatted about her background, what brought her to …

Cristina Bowerman, the Michelin star chef from Glass Hosteria in Rome, marries her rich culinary heritage from her growing up years in Puglia with …

If you’re looking for a wonderful place to eat in Rome that has incredible and unique wines with a vast cellar, plus its very own bespoke Wine Club …

Holiday baking is one of the cornerstones of the holiday season and many of us have recipes for traditional Italian Christmas cookies and desserts …

It’s holiday gift giving time and I’ve got you covered with tons of great suggestions! I reached out to chefs, culinary professionals and passionate …

When winter rolls around most of us are heavily into soups; and we often wish that all our favorite dishes were just a soup.
Michele Di Pietro in her …

If you’d like to sample some of Italy’s tastiest foods then make sure you try these 9 traditional dishes from Genoa.
Genoa, in the Liguria region, is …

One of the favorite and most used condiments in Italy and abroad is Italian balsamic vinegar. It’s used to dress salads, as an ingredient in many dishes and to drizzle on top of foods like strawberries and Parmesan …

Guess what? Your Thanksgiving celebration will be just as wonderful this year but you’ll need to make some menu changes, and adapt how you gather. …

When you conjure up the Mediterranean diet in your mind the first thing that probably comes to you is olive oil, and quite likely Italian olive oil. …

Noblewoman Violante Guerrieri Gonzaga offers exclusive rooftop cooking class experiences in a historic family palazzo in the center of Rome with …

When people think of Italy what comes to mind is fabulous art, monuments, amazing food and beautiful designer luxury goods – especially Italian …

Italian saffron cultivation is prolific in a number of areas in Italy like the Abruzzi and Sardegna, and now it’s expanded into Sicily, San Gimignano …

Explore the dozens upon dozens of hidden towns and perched villages in the coastal region of Liguria in northern Italy, along with its rich history, cuisine, natural beauty and breathtaking views. There are a few ways …

The Rome Opera House is fast becoming the cultural pride of the City of Rome. It's full of fascinating and rich historical facts and oddities so …

Today we dig deep into the Liguria region's fabulous food and wine!

Right up at the top of Italy along the coastline as Italy curves left above the …

The Molise region, although very small, has a culinary heritage all its own and there are five foods you absolutely must try. Lori DeSanctis was my …

We’re just about ready to head into September so it’s time to share a Roundup of Favorite Easy Summer Recipes that you can hang on to and use once …

Sardinia is one of Italy’s two largest islands and it’s nothing other than magical. Its history dates back not centuries but millennia and its rich …

When people visit Sicily they often fly into Palermo and use that as a starting point for their travels throughout this fabulous island. But if you …

If you’re interested in making perfect and easy homemade pasta then the Ultimate Pasta Machine Cookbook is a must for you. It’s a great book that not …

If you love Italian extra-virgin olive oil then don't miss this chat with the owners of the generations old award-winning Erredi Perrone organic …

Traditional Italian pasta becomes an edible art form in the hands of Laurie de Filippi from Baltimore Home Cook as she creates her pasta art and …

If you want to learn about the best beaches and surf spots in Italy then don’t miss this episode. I chatted with Steve Brenner, co-owner of The Beehive in Rome, and surfer who describes himself as a surfer who never …

Don’t miss this wonderful chat with Vicky Bennison, owner and creator of Pasta Grannies. Her videos of octogenarian (and older) Italian women making …

If you visit Alghero on the northwest coast of the island of Sardinia you can count on amazing hidden gems: archaeological remains dating back 6,000 …

Molise, Italy's Magical Secret Region, despite its tiny size is not short on culture, history and rich cuisine. Find out more on today's podcast …

Sicily is a haven of art and architecture, millennia old monuments and incredible history and food, and Eating Your Way through Sicily is a divine …

In today’s podcast episode I chatted with Pierpaolo Ruta, the sixth generation owner of the oldest Modica chocolate company in Sicily, L’Antica …

What are all the Italian food and wine acronyms and classifications, what do they all mean and why do they matter anyhow? They are all part of how Italy protects its food and wine. 

In today’s podcast episode Michele Di …