Happy Thanksgiving (?) !!

Well first of all, I'd like to wish all of my family and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving! It is such a great day to celebrate with loved ones and recognize everything we have been blessed with. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people in my life. Although I can't spend the holiday at home, everyone is in my thoughts and prayers today!
Unfortunately, Italy knows nothing of Thanksgiving and all of its wonderful delicious traditions. HOWEVER I did find a pumpkin pie in one of the American bakeries today-- its called Sugar and Spice and was on my way back from my presentation today. I just had to get one and share it with my friends. It was delicious. That made my day!

This morning, I had to give a presentation to an Italian high school. It was a presentation in English to help them learn. I had a blast. The teacher was so sweet and the students were so quiet and actually listened to me. I went to the Instituto del'Arte and it is gorgeous. Those students are so lucky. Italy has normal high schools, where students learn a little bit of every subject, but they also have specialized schools. This is a specialized high school, where the students learn only subjects in art. It is very different than American high schools.

Tonight, Margherita wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving with me! I was so shocked because I knew that she had no knowledge of the holiday. But she decorated the table very nicely and brought out champagne. We toasted to Ringraziamento (Thanksgiving) and she wished me a happy holiday! I think she also wanted to feed me like it was Turkey Day, not necessarily the kind of food but the quantity. Let me start from the beginning: 

1) Spinach and ricotta cooked together. Topped with fresh tomato sauce (always made from scratch)

2) A typical Tuscan dish (piatto toscana) made of Tuscan bread (Tuscan bread doesn't have any salt in it) mashed with cabbage, zucchini and onions. Topped with fresh olive oil. 

3) Lamb, slowly cooked in the oven for 7 hours, with potatoes that were cooked with the juice from the meat. Also, cooked artichokes (they are in season now!) with garlic and rosemary, roasted cauliflower and roasted green beans. 

4) A special cut of pork that is stuffed with herbs. Delicious-- you can find this on the street and the vendors make wonderful paninis with this. 

5) Tripe (not my favorite, I can't handle the squishy consistency) topped with cheese. 

6) Clementines and a pear 

7) A traditional Italian dessert for Natale, called Panettone. It is a sweet bread made with raisins. Don't worry, she didn't bake it. You can find them at all pasticcherias and supermercatos-- they are everywhere in all shapes and sizes! But she served it with a homemade crema made with oranges. She tried to serve me another dessert but I told her I would have to wait until tomorrow. 

Oh, and also she served fresh bread (from a forno--bakery) with fresh olive oil. 

So, although I am miles and miles away from home, I was still able to celebrate Thanksgiving. Margherita truly made it a wonderful holiday. 

Also, I loved Skyping with my family! I love you all so much. 

Ciao, a dopo. Buon Ringraziamento!