Musings Archive

Ristra di Peperoncino – Still Life

Posted September 25, 2011 By Adri

End Of Summer Still Life



The days are cooler and shorter. The tomatoes are almost finished, and the peppers have been strung into a ristra.
Summer has ended.


Note: You can click on any picture for a larger image, and to see a slide show with even more pictures!

Peppers-On-a-String-360x640-4999_216
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Martino’s Roma

Posted September 14, 2011 By Adri

Another in the ongoing series – Exploring Tomatoes
Martinos Roma

I love this tomato!

Smaller than the common Roma, with a stout bottom tapering up to narrow straight shoulders, this is one seriously productive plant.  This heirloom variety plum tomato is direct from Italy and produces fruit of about 2 to 3 ounces in weight.  It is a  determinate tomato plant, also known a “bush tomato,” and as such all its fruit will ripen over a period of about two weeks, essentially all at once in tomato talk.  For some uses, that is not desirable, but if you are looking for a deliciously mild tomato to make sauce or paste, this is just what you want – a plant that will yield a bountiful harvest over a short period of time.  At about 75 days the fruit will begin to ripen, and remarkably, this plant is virtually “self-harvesting.”  The wonderfully mild fruit, when ripe, comes off at a touch, or more often, just falls off of its own accord.  The plant needs very little staking and sports a low, compact habit.  The fruit holds well on and off the vine guaranteeing a generous supply for the kitchen.  Martino’s Roma are a vibrant red, meaty and firm enough to stuff and bake.  They are also wonderful for use on an antipasto plate.  This is an all-around winner, and will be back in my garden next year.


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I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.

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A Book Review

My Calabria Cover
My Calabria: Rustic Family Cooking from Italy’s Undiscovered South

 
I have mentioned it before. I am a cookbook addict, an avid collector. I love the genre, and my shelves are overflowing. Positively, absolutely overflowing. The truth is the books have begun a slow walk across the library floor, down the hall to the side of my bed. Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you. It is only fitting that the books have made their way to my bedside since cookbooks are my preferred bedtime reading. But with all those books I have had to become highly selective with my purchases. This one, however, was the proverbial no brainer. As soon as I heard that Rosetta Costantino had written a book on the cooking of Calabria, I knew I had to buy it. Ms. Costantino was born in Calabria, and at the age of fourteen came with her parents to the United States. She and her family live in Oakland, California where she teaches cooking. Her book was released late last year. I apologize to you all for keeping it to myself. Its 416 pages are filled with the food and culture of Calabria, all from the very personal viewpoint of Ms. Costantino. This collection of recipes, reminiscences and cultural background will have you reaching for your Post-It Flags. Read more… »

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It’s L.A. County Fair Time

Posted September 9, 2011 By Adri

LA County Fair Ribbons

It’s time for the Los Angeles County Fair and it’s County Fair Season all across the country.
Good luck to all the competitors!

1986 LA County Fair Plate1987 LA County Fair Plate1988 LA County Fair Plate

 

 

 

 

 

What did you enter? Is your recipe a family treasure or from a cookbook?
Something from the County Fair Cookbook, perhaps?

1989 LA County Fair Plate1990 LA County Fair Plate1991 LA County Fair Plate

 

 

 

 

 

I love the Fair, and it’s fun to bring home Ribbons, Plates, and souvenirs.
Let me know how you did. A Blue Ribbon perhaps?
Email a photo to my Readers’ Gallery.

1992 LA County Fair Plate

Buona fortuna!!

 

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I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.

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In Memoriam – Salvatore Licitra

Posted September 7, 2011 By Adri

 

In Memoriam

Salvatore Licitra

Salvatore Licitra

August 10, 1968 – September 5, 2011

Rest in Peace

The choir of angels is one stronger tonight.

I still believe I hear
hidden beneath the palm trees
your voice tender and deep
like the song of a dove.

– Je crois entendre encore

Les Pecheurs de Perles

by Georges Bizet

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Banana Legs Tomato

Posted August 27, 2011 By Adri

Another in the ongoing series – Exploring Tomatoes


Banana Legs Tomato


This low acid novelty looks a bit like a banana, well, kinda sorta – a 4 inch long bright yellow banana with a point at one end and very pale green stripes running the length of the fruit. Like I said, kinda sorta. This is one dependable and remarkably disease resistant plant. It is a determinate variety, and as such all its fruit will ripen at once, beginning at about 75 days and continuing over a two week period. The plant will then be “finished.” Known as “bush tomatoes” because of their low compact habit, determinate plants stop growing once the fruit on the top (or “terminal”) bud has set. These are not plants that will reward you with fruit all season long. Keep the determinate vs. indeterminate factor in mind when planning your tomato garden. Read more… »

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