DAYS AWAY FROM ITALY

START HERE

THE FIRST THREE POSTS

OR, HOW IT ALL BEGAN

590 Days and Counting

 May 2, 2021 | Eccomi

The other night, I sat glued to Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, watching the first show in the TV series for the umpteenth time, thanks to CNN’s generous rebroadcast schedule. When Stanley headed to the Amalfi Coast with his wife Felicity and described, once again, their love of spaghetti alla nerano, my mouth started to water, followed by my eyes. It was then I finally understood my problem. I am Starving for Italy. More accurately, after 590 days away from Italy – and counting – I am …

Starving for the First Time

 May 4, 2021 | Eccomi

When I found myself watching over and over again the episodes of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, I realized I was Starving for Italy. Within a few days of the diagnosis, I decided to launch this blog and share my love and longing for Italy with others who share my condition. We’ll cure ourselves together. As I described in my inaugural post, I fell for Italy following a first vacation thirty years ago to Milan, Venice and Cortina d’Ampezzo with my best friend Janet. …

Becoming A. S. Furbetta

 May 6, 2021 | Eccomi

I met with literary agents for the first time 25 years ago in Bologna at the annual book fair held there. I had an idea for a book based on my experiences working for an investment bank in Milan, which I pitched as a cross between Liar’s Poker and A Year in Provence.  I decided I needed a pseudonym before discussing the project and chose A. S. Furbetta, the writing name I use today. I chose Furbetta out of fascination with a central component of Italian culture, fare il furbo

To Read More – The Most Recent Posts

GOING TO MONACO?

GOING TO MONACO?

Maybe it’s because I woke up to find my beautiful tomatoes eaten by some bestia outside last night – I'm not happy – but today I’m going to talk about a pet peeve. You all understand my great affection for Italy by now. But there are some things which can drive you...

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ASPARAGI ALLA MILANESE

ASPARAGI ALLA MILANESE

No, STARVING FOR ITALY is not becoming a food blog. But I promised in Asparagus Kilometer Zero to tell you what I did with all that asparagus I bought at our local farmers market. I keep the March 2005 Saveur magazine pictured above on my cookbook shelf because it...

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SLOW FOOD FAST LIFE

SLOW FOOD FAST LIFE

In the last post, Asparagus Kilometer Zero, I described the important themes of Milan Expo 2015 on food and sustainability.  And I set out to tell you about my favorite exhibits. I managed to get through the first – about the wonders and potential of vertical farms in...

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