Happy Republic Day, Italy!

Rome is bustling today.  June 2, 2013 marks Festa della Repubblica, a national holiday with outstanding celebrations to commemorate the founding of The Republic of Italy in 1946. 

The Eternal City attracts visitors ready to revel in an exceptional military parade honoring the anniversary of the declaration of the Italian Republic.  The Carabinieri, military police of Italy, parade through to Piazza Venezia overseen by Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Giorgio Napolitano, The President of Italy.  Prominent political and military officials attend many of the events in Rome.

Notable traditions of Republic Day include a laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the inception to the day's festivities.  Look up in the sky, not for fireworks, but to view Frecce Tricolori, a flyover by the nine Italian Air Force aircraft that leave streaks of green, white, and red colored smoke to denote the Italian Flag.  Listen to various military bands perform live in Palazzo del Quirinale, the gardens of the seat of the president, open to the public. 

Napolitano has broached the typical traditions with a scaled back parade this year in the name of austerity.  "I appreciate the simplicity of the celebrations," said Napolitano who also highlighted reducing the costs to the essential and shifted focus to the pride of the patrons in attendance honoring the theme "Armed Forces in the service of the country."  John Kerry, US Secretary of State, acknowledged in writing the respectful U.S-Italy alliance, goals, and achievements concluding, "It is in the spirit of this enduring partnership and friendship that I extend to all Italians my sincere best wishes on this 67th anniversary of Republic Day."

Throughout Italy there are a host of several other parties and parades to honor the day.  Festa della Repubblica propels the Italians into festival mode for the busy season ahead.  Enjoy Republic Day! 



Italian President Giorgio Napolitano

Party Time at Italian Festivals.

Italians love to throw a party. Festivals are a component to life in Italy's many regions with celebrations marked by just about anything from a lemon to the world's largest frying pan. The Spring and Summer months bring some of the top festivals of the year with those rounding up as noteworthy mandate the revolving praise of bona-fide food.



Lemon Tree in Monterosso

Sagra del Limone, in Liguria attracts people to dabble in all things lemon, the region's specialty. The 3rd weekend in May the village of Monterosso hosts The Lemon Festival where revelers can expect samplings of the finest limoncino, lemon fragrant soaps and candles, and lemon desserts (gelato, of course), of the prestigious produce. A window decorating competition starring the yellow gem as well as an acclamation for the largest lemon in town are two components of the festival. The restaurants typically have festival menus as their tables spill into the live music and dancing on the walkways throughout the village leading to the large party in the main square.


Dancing in the main square

Italy has a resounding fame for the original food it has brought to the world, and the significant items are justly honored with festivals of their own. Primavera del Prosecco celebrates the Prosecco wine production region from March-June with a slew of villa getaway vacation packages inclusive of tours. Travelers to Italy can plan their trip to incorporate numerous possibilities of the events with a Risotto Festival in Sessame, a Polenta Festival in Avigliana, and a Chianti Wine Festival in Tuscany. The Sagra del Pesce, in Liguria is a classical festival honoring the patron saint of fishermen, San Fortunato. The port village fish is prepared in the largest frying pan in the world after a night of a religious ceremony with bonfires.


Sagra del Pesce, Largest Frying Pan

There are even meat filled deep fried olives (known as olive ascolane) currently being celebrated at the fried food festival, Fritto Misto. Pick me.


Art in Italy will never go unnoticed. Major festivals to pay homage are Festival dei Due Mondi, Festival of Two World's, a famous performing arts festival featuring opera, ballet, film and The Tuscan Sun Festival celebrating spectacular live music. Tomorrow, May 1, is Labor Day in Italy and is recognized as a public holiday, though tourists can expect large street festivals to celebrate, of course.



Summer in Cinque Terre

Spring has sprung, and the glory of Summer is quickly approaching, with the outdoor season officially here much celebration will ensue. Wrap up the Spring cleaning and get outside to party as the Italian's do!

Are there any local upcoming festivals you are looking forward to?

Pino Gelato's lemon gelato!

 

The Fall Scoop

Fall has officially arrived, in with the season comes the culinary delights people have been clamoring for during the long heat spells of summer. National coffee shops have even reported a shortage on their pumpkin flavor syrups, unable to predict the increasing popularity of the fall beverage trend.  While foods that correlate directly to a particular season, holiday, or tradition, certainly exist it is important to find ways to keep everyday favorites from being left behind. 

Photohraphy by Andrew Scrivan

Before jumping into fall full-throttle, take note this year’s impeccable fig crop transcends late summer and will represent itself against the more traditional fall contenders. The abundance of fruitful stateside fig trees, largely popular as a result of the ancestral trend of bringing over a sapling from a family tree in Italy to plant in a new garden, will allow for extended eating of the sweet marvels.  To use fresh figs with a fall twist it is neat to incorporate them with the top October foods of Italy.   Fall festivals throughout Italy celebrate truffles, chocolate, chestnuts, and mushrooms.  Ideas include fig jam for dipping chocolate, baked figs tossed in pasta with porcini mushrooms, olive oil, and prosciutto, and figs to be roasted alongside the chestnuts. Figs for fall!

Cinnamon and Pumpkin Gelato

  Another Italian treat that must refuse to adhere to a particular season is in the form of dessert, gelato. It is not just used as a means to cool down in the heat, but the rich texture is the perfect accoutrement to many fall favorites.  Once it is time to throw hands up and commit to the colder months ahead the best course of action is to spend a day apple picking. This will translate into gathering the family together to make a favorite apple dessert recipe (warm pie, crisp, cake… endless possibilities), this year adorned with a scoop of gelato. Add gelato to spiked cider for festive fall adult entertaining, and to make the impending winter months seem a bit more enjoyable.

Even simplicity reigns, grill up those figs and serve with gelato and unlimited topping selections!

Truly, gelato adds depth and decadence to all the fall flavors, even the hot commodity in the coffee world. The infamous pumpkin spice latte topped with a scoop of gelato may cause a full blown frenzy!

Pumpkin and cinnamon gelato is now available in Pino Gelato locations (in plentiful amounts)… oh the possibilities! 

Pumpkin Gelato