Let’s start with the pleasant.
Sunday night our adorable Italian neighbor came to our apartment bearing a tray of tarimasu. Setting the scene: Chelsea, our fluent Italian speaker was not present, and our adorable neighbor speaks only Italian. Soo one of our housemates answers our door, who would be knocking??, and then comes to find the rest of us in mild panic. We go into the living room to find our little Italian nonna holding a tray and looking equally lost. She spots one of my housemates thinking it is Chelsea and instantly lights up and walks over to her and gives her the tray. I’m able to understand that she is saying ” I made this for you because I like you. You’ve all been good and I’ve slept well (She had told us to be quiet at night so she could sleep). I like you girls”. Unfortunately I just gaped like a fool and merely said Grazie and didn’t translate what she was saying until she was almost out our door at what point everyone let out a resounding awwww! and she just turned around and smiled. We better stay on her good side, I certainly appreciate the gifts of homemade food.
Then, in cooking class, we made an absolutely awesome lasagna. This may very well be the thing I make for my family after I get back. Unless, of course, something even more awesome appears.
Now onto the not so pleasant. So last night Chelsea & I went to her aunt and uncle’s house and made some typical crostini. One of them looked something like this:
It didn't look any more appetizing in person
I was told that it was a delicacy of Florence. From the look on Chelsea’s face and the stories she told me I had a good idea that it was some sort of gross animal bits. I was then told that I had to eat it. I can’t refuse a Florence delicacy can I? I mean that’d be rude, and I wouldn’t want to hurt any feelings. So I try a bite. Its got this gritty kind of texture and reminds me a bit of tuna but more like what I imagine cat food tastes like. As I’m mid chew her uncle tells me it is Chicken heart, liver and stomach.
…..
I just…
Did I really just eat…. THAT?
I managed to swallow that one bite and discretely toss the rest of it. The look on my face clearly showing my displeasure.
What the frig Florence, Chicken pâté ?? Stick with the tiramisu, please.
What the Frig??? 