Tags
italy, Local Produce, Lucca, Photography, travel, Tuscany, Vermentino
One of the many advantages of staying in an apartment while in Italy (or anywhere in the world) is you have the option of eating in or out.
Although we enjoyed most of our mid day and evening meals out we always ate breakfast at the apartment. Our apartment in Lucca had a fully furnished kitchen which made it easy to prepare foods and a pleasure to eat in. We had a supermarket just around the corner so it was very easy to just pop out early morning or sometimes we ducked out the evening before to pick up fresh fruits and yogurts. Right by the supermarket there was a fabulous patisserie where we could also buy freshly baked breads and pastries.
Supermarket
In Lucca you will find many Gastronomia Prodotti Tipici – Gastronomy Typical Products. Late one afternoon after several hours of exploring this wonderful city, we popped in to this Gastronomia Prodotti Tipici.
Gastronomia Produtti Tipici
We were like children in a candy store. We could not get enough of what we could see. So, we made the decision to buy some of this lovely produce, fresh bread and some local wines, and take it back to the apartment and have an “antipasti”dinner. We had eaten lunch out so we did not need another big cooked dinner. We selected so many different delicacies. It did not take long to realise that we had bought far too much but how do you know when to stop. We sure didn’t.
Gastronomia Produtti Tipici
The fun continued as we walked home talking about all this fabulous foods that we had just purchased and the ones we left behind. And then, when we arrived back at the apartment the fun really began as we started opening all the different containers and packages.
We purchased a bottle of my favourite blend of wine, Vermentino. Vermentino is a light-skinned grape wine. We also purchased a lovely bottle of red.
After laying out our spread, we sat and enjoyed and talked about every thing we were eating. Our spread included sardines & anchovies & smoked salmon, cheeses, artichokes, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, bread and strawberries. What a pleasure.
Dinner
This turned in to another wonderful memorable evening for us in Lucca.
A vacation in Italy is complete when you buy, eat and enjoy the lovely local produce.
How much fun! We also loved shopping in the markets. Nothing better than great wine and delicious food.
Thanks Mary. It is really so simple and just so perfect.
What a great way to fulfill your Italian food desires!!
Thanks Linda. You are right
A dinner like this, common in Italy, is referred to as “mangiare assciutto” (eating dry) !
Thank you for that, first time I have heard this expression. We often mangiare assciutto here in Australia.
just realised I mis-typed! Should be asciutto!
Yes, of course Thanks
I’m salivating just looking at the wonderful food not to mention the vino.
We love staying in apartments for just that reason also. xxx
Thanks Donna. Good to hear from you. I know you love this way of eating also
What a wonderful memory to have. Your spread looked amazing your blogs seem to always make me hungry. Thanks. Xx
Yes Leah, a truly great memory. You would have loved that food xx
That last photo is especially inviting!
Thanks Stacy. It all tasted as good as it looks
Wow! It all looks wonderful Lyn. I am hooked on staying in apartments after doing so on Italy. I think it really is the best way and not all that expensive. Looks like you made fantastic choices with your selections. Making me hungry 😊
Thanks Rae. Apartment staying is the best. I love it. You don’t feel as though you must push yourself all day everyday. You can take time out to chill and take in the local life.
That all looks mouth-watering!
Kay, it was fabulous
Tesoro, ….le fotografie sono meravigliose e la tua descrizione delle giornate passate a Lucca e’ fantastica.Devo confessare che vedendo tutti questi ottimi cibi locali mi e’ venuta una fame..da matti!!! Non vedo l’ora di mangiarli… in un paio di mesi,haha.Grazie per il tuo blog veramente bello e ci vediamo presto…Ciao Peter
Grazie Tesoro. Soon you will be living la dolce vita and eating all this favuloso cibi. Ci vediamo presto, Lyn
Mmmmmmm….my favourite foods! It looks delicious,or should I say delizzioso!
Yes Mary, it is your kind of food.
Yummm yumm yumm!
Eating Italian style, local produce, is a real pleasure. If only everyone could experience this simple joy in life.
Yes these are the wonderful things you learn when you have the time to be a “local”
I think this is what I miss the most about not being in Italy! The freshness of everything and the selection is amazing! We love having these kinds of meals – many times, we pop into one of these “gastronomias” and pick up a Panini and a bottle of wine before heading out for an adventure in the countryside! Fun :)
Yes, it is the best. I could eat like this often. Thanks for stopping by. By the way, where are you?
I am in California – in the SF Bay Area :) My parents immigrated here from Lago Maggiore :)
My goal is to eat like this here…
I was in SF last July. Beautiful city. Lago Maggiore is a very special place and one of my favourites. I am in Brisbane Australia
2 words….pornografia gastronomica!
Yes, definitely. Thanks Cristina
Sure, I agree : buying food & eat it at home mekes you feel a real ..local, isn’t it? Glad you loved it ,darling Lyn❤️
Yes Miky it does make me feel local actually
Exactly the same for me when I am abroad! Food is a great way to enjoy the real life of a Country you visit or where you stay for a while😉😋
I think it is more than just eating the food. I also love to shop where the locals shop
Yesss!! & see what the buy or…not buy!😂😂😂
The triple joy of feasting for the eyes, salivating of the mouth, and satisfying for the taste buds. Yum, Yum, in the tum, is what I say. A fun way to experience the gastronomical delights of Italy.
Yes Gail and a fun way to be a “local”