Maybe you all don’t use or like sweet pickle relish but our household always has it, and so did my Mother’s. We use it in tuna salad, chicken salad and potato salad. Thing is, you won’t find anything remotely like it here. Also you’ll never find nice dill pickles. Alas. So we make our own. I say we, because Luther uses it a lot in tuna salad so I told him there is a TON of chopping so you can help. And he does. He has gotten very good at the peppers.
This is only one of the things we want that are not available here. I make my own ranch dressing too, because dressing isn’t a “thing” here. There are not shelves full of different salad dressings. In Italy it is oil and vinegar and that’s it.
I also make Bisquick from scratch. That’s probably weird but it is useful in some things I make. I make my own fish fry to coat fish. Buttermilk is not available here, but it’s really easy to make. I am sure there are more!
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We are still living our heat spell — it has to have been three weeks solid (maybe four) with the exception of that one day of rain. It is said to be because of an African heat dome that is stuck. Here’s the forecast for the next 7 days…and it goes on after that. 🥵. 38C is 100.4F.
I got out early this morning to show some people an apartment that my friend, who lives in Wales now, is renting. Piazza Matteotti was deserted. But cool at 8:30. I said hi to Irene at Bar Mary, and my friend Angelo at his Alimentari. Nice to see old friends. Miss them!
Finally a little about the garden. Being on the roof and in full sun the tomatoes are suffering. I got past the blossom end rot problem with extra calcium. I water twice a day. Still they look like they are miserable. I need a sun shade or something. My first year is an experiment for sure. There are quite a few tomatoes but they are small. They taste really sweet though.
I will leave you with a picture of my kumquat tree which is doing really well. She seems to really like the sun. She’s covered with sweet smelling blossoms…and the blossoms are covered with…honey bees! (You can see one bottom center).
Hi Matt, both recipes are now under the recipe tab
Thanks for asking that, Molly! I’m always inspired by your recipes, Nancy. If you wouldn’t mind adding the butter tomato sauce from a couple of posts ago that would also be appreciated. Looks super easy!
Hi Molly, I will. I will put them in the next post. Pickle relish. Anything else you want? There is a tab on the top menus bar with past recipes. EDIT I added the recipes to the recipe tab
Please share your recipes!
Hi Lindsay, I am always happy to see honey bees. I wonder where their hive is? I’m in the city. I’ll pass along your complimenti to Luther!
That’s some impressive dicing ! It’s good that you make your own condiments.
Also good to hear you’ve got lots of bees, I don’t think I’ve seen one this year.
Hi Leslee, pretty sure I can’t actually do that. Assume must be connected to a water source, which would be difficult. And the tomatoes are a good three meters from the roof. But thanks, it was a good suggestion! I’m going to try a sun shade. I think it’s the direct sun that’s the problem not so much the temperature
Hi Nancy,
Have you considered misters for you patio? The misters are attached to the eaves of your patio and spray a super fine mist which evaporates and cools the area by as much as 25 degrees. Misters are very popular in Palm Springs. We used misters on our patio in Southern California.
Hi Luis, there are many free lots. The closest is just in front of the centro but mostly it’s full. Big lot just across from the big fortress La Rocca, can’t miss it. Right across the street from it. There’s a lot just under/against the Rocca/town wall too it’s small but you could get lucky. All lots here are free parking. Don’t come on a Wednesday morning though. That’s market day. Saturday is also the Local Kilometer 0 market but you can always find a spot that day.
Hi Laurie, I remember you. Did you get the permanent permesso? Thanks for the tip. I still have to make the sweet though. Next time I’m in the neighborhood I’ll stop into the Conad.
Where would one park to go to the Bar Mary?
Hi, Nancy
We met when I was looking for advice on my long-term permesso. I enjoy your blog, but never felt the need to comment before.
You can buy Polish dill pickles at the Conad super store in the Quasar Village in Corciano. They have a wide array of “foreign” foods, including sour cream and green jalapeño relish. It’s a bit of a journey from Umbertide, but everything is in jars or tins, so you can stock up.
Best, Laurie