Author Archive
Adjusting to Expat Life in Italy
I’m finally getting around to answering more of your questions from way back when. After today’s answers, the only questions that remain, I believe, are blogging-related, and I’ve answered those in my FAQ page. Have you seen my new FAQ page by the way? Go ahead, click it! And let me know what you think!
OK, back to today’s post, which answers some questions about adjusting to life as an expat in Italy.
1. Janie (whose blog seems to have disappeared! Aiuto!) asked how I was received by the residents.
Actually *really* well. Sure, many wondered why I would choose to move here and be (gasp) so far away from my mother, but the villagers have always been really helpful and kind, even before I knew P.
I’ve mentioned plenty of times that it’s not uncommon to be given bags of fruit and other edible gifts, but the villagers are also always up for a chat or to help carry packages as well; in general, I have to say the people here are just nice, or at least they have been to me.
2. Knowing that I’m a lot addicted to reading, Franca asked about buying books here.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m *really* spoiled when it comes to books. People (including my mom) send me them rather often, and I also get quite a few review copies through the blog.
I very rarely order books, but in the past, I’ve just ordered through Amazon; you can use the UK site if you’re worried about shipping issues. There are also some Italy-based sellers such as IBS.it, Webster.it, and LaFeltrinelli.it that carry some English-language books as well.
3. Franca also asked about dealing with being away from family.
Hmm. Well, that’s something that is undoubtedly different for everyone. I consider myself extremely close emotionally to my family, but I haven’t lived physically close to them since I was 17 (except for a few summers).
I’ve had to rely on phone calls, letters, e-mails, etc., to keep in touch for quite a long time, so I suppose in a way I’m kind of used to being away from them now. The holidays and certain special occasions can be difficult, but how do you get through anything tough?
Me? I cry or I don’t; I keep myself busy or I don’t; I reminisce about the past or I don’t; I plan trips home or I don’t. You know, I don’t know. It’s really hard for me to give advice on this because what works for me won’t work for everyone–heck, what works for me one day may not work the next.
I guess my best advice is that you do your best to work through the feelings of missing your loved ones in your home country, and if you really feel like you’re unhappier here than you would be there, you move back.
Or at least that’s what I would do. I think.
Fellow expats or those who have moved away from “home,”
what are your adjustment tips?
Shout Out to the Daddies of the World
Just wanted to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, especially mine!
And to my grandfather, Pap Pap, wherever he may be:
To my mom’s father, also wherever he may be (sadly no photo here with me).
And to all the rest of my grandfathers back into family history–especially to:
(1) My great-grandfather Aniello D’Isabella, who I never got to meet but whose lack of desire to get American citizenship after leaving his southern Italian village allowed me to reclaim his Italian citizenship many years later and live here happily ever after without bureaucratic hassle; and
(2) My great-great-grandfather Giuseppe Bressi whose village I now call home.
Auguri to all you daddies out there!
What’s Cooking Wednesday: Green Beans, Pancetta, and Potatoes
This week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday recipe screams summer because of the gorgeous fresh fagiolini (green beans) that star in the dish; a more hearty version of this basic combo can be found at my recipe for Pork, Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce.
Now, before we get started, if you think you don’t like green beans, please find some fresh ones. Trust me, they have nothing to do with canned green beans (to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of those either). As with any beans, they take a little prep work (washing, snapping off the ends, and blanching), but they are *so* worth it.
We didn’t grow our own fagiolini this year, but we will definitely give it a go next year. The beans used in this recipe, of course, are locally grown though. And if you’re curious as to what *is* going on in our garden, check out our:
Lettuce/lattuga:
Onions/cipolle:
The cucumbers and tomatoes are ripening as I type! Yay!
OK, the recipe. Traditionally instead of the pancetta, the Badolatese would use “carne salata,” spicy, salty lard particular to here; (luckily) we didn’t have any, so we substituted pancetta, and it worked great. You can use cubed ham if you’re short on pancetta.
Green Beans, Pancetta, and Potatoes
Fagiolini con pancetta e patate
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- Half kilo (about a pound) of fresh green beans
- One medium onion, diced
- 100 grams (about 1/4 pound) of pancetta, cubed
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks or cubed (your choice)
- Salt to taste
1. Wash beans and snap (or snip) off ends.
2. Bring a pot of water to boil, then drop in beans for about 3-5 minutes until they are bright green but still rather al dente. Many say to then drop them into a waiting bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, but I never do–they’re always fine, and I save myself another dish to wash. You just have to get used to when to take them out, that’s all.
3. Put about five tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan and heat over medium. When the oil is hot, add the onions and let saute for a couple of minutes.
4. Add pancetta to pan, again letting it saute for a couple minutes, then add potatoes and mix together.
5. The potatoes will take the longest to cook, of course, so let this mixture cook for about 15-25 minutes–depends on how large your potato chunks are.
6. Add the green beans and some salt and mix everything together. Let cook for another 10 minutes or so, stirring and adding water if it gets a bit dry. The dish is ready when the potatoes and beans are cooked to your satisfaction. Be sure to adjust for salt.
7. Serve hot with bread–or eat leftover cold the next day as a salad. YUM!
Buon appetito!
My Cousin the Saint in Paperback–With My Blurb!
Remember when I reviewed My Cousin the Saint by Justin Catanoso?
Well the paperback version comes out in a couple of days, and my review is quoted in the blurbs in the front of the book! How exciting!
Yes, if you follow me @michellefabio on Twitter or are my friend on Facebook, you already know this–and if you’re not following or friending yet, come on over! Did you know I was also recently named one of 20 Interesting Expats to Follow on Twitter by Matador? I’m so honored!
Anyway, I *still* highly recommend Justin’s book–this is a fabulous gift for an Italian, especially a Calabrian–so if you need a regalo, haven’t gotten your copy yet, or were simply waiting for paperback, the release date is June 16, 2009; you can pre-order My Cousin the Saint: A Story of Love, Miracles, and an Italian Family Reunited here.
Don’t you just love the new cover art?!
Buona domenica!
Love Thursday: Just Me and the Kids
Yes, I know the blog has been heavy on books and reviews lately, but that’s certainly not all we do around here. We also, for example, admire our baby goats.
Yes, the girls have been showing more sisterly love:
But there’s just nothing like a Mamma’s love is there?
Happy Love Thursday from our pen to yours!
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
Recipes
