Bleeding Espresso

There has been a *huge* increase in requests for recognition of Italian citizenship over the past several years–my and my father’s requests included.

Along with “creating” many more Italian citizens in the world, this also means that many (non- or little-speaking Italian) people are becoming eligible to vote in Italian elections for the first times in their lives.

And believe me, the process is *very* different than in the United States.

As I think there may be quite a few people out there confused by the instructions, I’m going to break it down here, in English, and urge you–if you are an Italian citizen, PLEASE exercise your right to VOTE in this election.

AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE NOT FOR BERLUSCONI!

Every Italian citizen residing abroad should be registered with the local consulate in the A.I.R.E. (Anagrafe Italiani Residenti Estero). If you are, you should have already received a packet from your consulate including:

• Your electoral certificate (with your name on giving you the right to vote);
• Two (2) different colored ballots (pink for the Camera dei Deputati and blue for the Senato); if you are under the age of 25, you will receive only a ballot for the Camera;
• Two (2) envelopes (one small, blank, and white and the other larger and self-addressed and stamped to your consulate);
• The list of candidates for your area; and
• An information sheet.

1. First of all, grab and use a blue or black pen.

2. Now, an aside to explain a little of what’s going on with the ballots: below the main candidates, all of the people on their “lists” are from the “estero” or outside Italy; those elected will represent your interests as an Italian citizen residing abroad.

Depending on where you live, you will be able to vote for differing numbers of deputati and senatori–don’t worry, the number of blank lines will tell you how many you are allowed to write in.

If you are in North or Central America like my dad, for example, you can vote for 2 deputati and 1 senatore.

So . . .

3. To vote, you place an X over the logo of the party of your choice.

My advice is this one:

Vote for Veltroni! Woohoo!

4. Now you can write in your choices for senatori and deputati as described above being extremely careful to copy the names exactly as printed on the list. And don’t write anything else!

[If you would like my suggestions on senatori and deputati please contact me privately; find information on the candidates (in Italian) here.]

5. Fold and put your two ballots in the small blank white envelope and seal it.

6. Put that envelope inside the bigger envelope addressed to the consulate.

7. Tear off the bottom part of your electoral certificate at the perforation, put that in the big envelope with the ballots, and seal it.

8. Mail it off–it must be received by your consulate by April 10–and wait for election results.

Optional: buy some prosecco if you’re feeling particularly confident in your party.

This page has a fabulous graphic of this whole process. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or contact me.

And, in case I haven’t been clear . . .

VOTE!

*Special thanks to the website of Gino Bucchino, candidate for Camera dei Deputati for Central and North America with Partito Democratico’s (and my) main man, Walter Veltroni; and I’m not just saying this because Bucchino was born in Calabria, I swear.

21 Comments »

Some of you may have seen George Ella Lyon’s gorgeous, moving poem Where I’m From. If you haven’t, go here but then please come back.

Now, after reading my thoughts below, do yourself, your well-being, and everyone around you a favor and use this form to guide you in writing something of your own.

And then please, please share it with us.

————–

Where I’m From

I am from coal, the black diamond, from the depths of the earth, from the veins of life mined by my ancestors so that I would never have to, those who toiled away sotto terra as their wives worked hard at home or in factories hoping to never hear the whistle call them to the breaker in the middle of a work day.

From Big Ben’s blue birch beer, a taste so unique and delicious, only a chosen few have ever had the pleasure.

I am from a quaint, white house with a brick-colored porch, off on its own on a block of row homes, rebuilt by my family after a fire destroyed it, smelling often of garlic and onions, but also of fresh-baked everything.

I am from the spider fern, launching its branches far and wide, hoping that someone, somewhere will take in a baby off-shoot, plant it and nurture it.

The lily, the gorgeous lily that was a fixture in the house at Easter time, sitting in front of the fireplace, dying with each passing day but bringing such joy to all who saw her.

I am from Christmas Eve at my grandmother’s house, squeezing into the kitchen, eating baked ham, potato salad, cheese, meats, and so many sweet pickles and black olives, I thought I might burst.

And different shades of dark hair from my mom and my dad and my brother.

I am from the daily dinner table shouting (not in a good way) and keeping feelings inside, quiet, and out of view (except for the shouting).

From the “no soda before noon” rule and stories of what is was like to grow up as an immigrant family in America in the 1930s and 40s.

I am from a strong base of Catholics, with a slight dose of agnostic, and have come to follow a similar path. I am from a study of many world religions and finding some of each that bring me at peace with the world, and yet complete failing to understand how so many religious people hate so much and so many in the name of one god or another.

I am from the desire to learn, to understand, to love, to be loved, and from the wish that we all, truly, can live in harmony.

I’m from a small town in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, from Lithuanians, Italians, and Germans, from pierogies, gnocchi, and sauerkraut.

From the great-great-grandfather who was saved from a bull by his trusty black mutt, the aunt who constantly changed her first name because she didn’t like her given one, and the father who served in Vietnam.

I am from an accordion-file folder back in the States, a wall in my brother’s house, and a small black-and-white photo album here with me—a collection of family pictures, documents, stories, and history that are worth little monetarily, but that couldn’t possibly mean more to me.

A struggle of one family that has moved around the world, been laborers and professionals, helped build countries, fought wars, healed the sick, played professional sports, cooked for the masses, touched the hearts of many, seen the best and worst of people, experienced many successes as well as failures, but, most importantly, persevered as a unit, as a family.

————–

Reminder: check out Judith’s Chicken Pot Pie for La Buona Cucina Americana!

Buon weekend!

43 Comments »

This year’s Easter Sunday celebrations brought a special visitor to my village:

Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Venice

This is the prince* at his wedding to French actress Clotilde Courau in 2003.

But no, I don’t have a photo of the prince’s visit to my village.

How’s that possible?

Well my very own Principe P and I were busy enjoying a gorgeous, lazy Sunday morning capping off a gorgeous, lazy weekend starting from Friday afternoon when these photos were taken:

Fairy tales can be fun, but the real thing is fabulous.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

*Italy was ruled by the royal family, the House of Savoy, until the monarchy was voted out in a controversial election in 1946. In the Constitution of the new “republicca” all of the Savoia family’s male descendants were exiled from the country.

This provision was removed in 2002 when Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, the last claimant to the House of Savoy, renounced all claims to the throne.

Just a year later, Prince Emanuele Filiberto, son of Vittorio Emanuele, married his bride in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs.

Six years later he came to my village. And I missed it.

45 Comments »

My grandmother used to make this week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday recipe, Potatoes, Peppers, & Eggs, any time of day and so do I.

I tend to turn to this tried and true dish whenever I have peppers around that won’t get used otherwise or when I simply don’t know what else to eat but want something that’ll fill me up and keep me full.

And every time I make it, I wonder why I don’t make it more often because I really do love it. Pass the fresh bread! Yum!

I do this in a fancy scrambled eggs style, but you could just as easily turn this into a frittata/omelet. For me, scrambling the eggs is simply less labor-intensive, thus keeping the fast, easy, and delicious theme that we like so much around here.

Oh, you don’t want the potatoes in? Check out the Seven Fishes Blog’s recipe for Peppers & Eggs here. And of course this would be great with ham, pancetta, onions . . . use your imagination, and whatever you have around that needs to be used up!

Potatoes, peppers, & eggs
(serves 2)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 large green pepper (or red, yellow, whatever you prefer), cut into strips
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon grated cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oil on medium in a pan that will be big enough to hold all ingredients.

2. Add peppers and toss so they are covered with oil. Lower heat and let cook for about 10 minutes or until tender.

3. Add potatoes, tossing well with oil and peppers. Cook for another 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender and light golden brown.

4. Meanwhile in a medium bowl, beat together eggs, cheese, and salt.

5. Pour egg mixture over potatoes and peppers, stirring frequently. Cook until eggs are no longer runny.

6. Grab some fresh bread and dig in!

Buon appetito!

28 Comments »

Even though you couldn’t tell from yesterday’s cold, windy, rainy Pasquetta weather, primavera is definitely here in Calabria, and do you know how I know?

From the flowers on the trees.

I’ve always loved the season of spring and its gorgeous gifts, but before living here I didn’t pay much attention to what blooms when or even really which flowers belong to which trees.

Now I have the routine down and look forward to it every year, which you might be able to tell from my posting about the first almond blossoms–here are last year’s and remember these from January?

Yes, the almond tree (il mandorlo) always flowers first.

Next comes the apricot tree (l’albicocco):

Then the plum tree (il prugno):

And finally the peach tree (il pesco):

Watching this cycle with anticipation and excitement every year is so soothing to me–knowing that, without fail, these blossoms will usher in the new season, new growth, new opportunities, new possibilities.

Also? The figs are coming! The figs are coming!

I just love the sweet breath of inspiration that spring provides, don’t you?

29 Comments »