4 posts from 2007

A Good Food Blog that begins in Italy bodes well wouldn’t you say?
It’s Evan, writing from Matera, Italy way down south in the arch of the boot.
I’m here to do research on the cuisine and food ways of the area.  What luxury to spend each day meeting agronomists, anthropologists, not to mention the fabulous “old ladies” who are, of course, my favorites.  Today I left Matera to visit Bernalda, a small town nearby.  The drive was lovely as I passed through rolling hills dotted with olive trees, fields of artichoke plants and the deep brown lines of recently cultivated fields.  There were even pinky lavender wild flowers dotting the sides of the roads as I made my way up to the town.

I arrived at my “appointment” to find Zia Nunzia sorting olives for curing.  Black went into one jar, green into another.  Her technique is to wash the olives very well then simply add a bit of salt, a bay leaf or two and some water.  The olives remain in the same water for a year when they are ready to eat.  I tasted a few she made last year – boy, they were delicious….very delicate.  She doesn’t change the water like I’ve done every time.  I have to try her method – much easier.  Zia Nunzia was soon joined by Zia Antonietta and Zia Ida and the stories began.  All these women grew up literally dirt poor at a time when you suffered to scratch a living out of the land.  A friend documented the conversation with photos.  I’ll add them as soon as she gets them to me.  Meanwhile here are a few pictures of Matera.  More on this unique town tomorrow.

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