The greatest benefit we enjoy in returning to Cortona year after year is the friends we have made. Many are local and others are repeaters who love the town and its people as much as we do. Being small in size, it’s nearly impossible to walk down the street and not see familiar faces. Friends here become extended family, and spending time with them is a favorite pastime.
Last night, 25 of us gathered for a traditional Italian celebration of friendship. When we arrived, the setting welcomed us with open arms:
©Blogginginitaly.com
As did three generations of the family:
©Blogginginitaly.com
The beautiful table would soon be filled with food and lots of conversation, and the bbq in the back let us know that grilled meats were part of the dinner.
©Blogginginitaly.com
The challenge, of course, is pacing oneself.
First up, Aperitivo, almost a meal in itself. Everything is freshly cut and sliced. I’ve yet to be in an Italian kitchen that doesn’t have a deli sized meat slicer! This course is generally served with Prosecco, and soon the corks were popping.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
For Primo, we enjoyed homemade lasagna, both meat and vegetarian styles,
©Blogginginitaly.com
Followed by melanzana, (eggplant parmigiana).
©Blogginginitaly.com
For someone like me, who generally feels that pasta è basta, (pasta is enough), sticking to smaller portions is essential.
Next up, time for grilling. First the steaks…
©Blogginginitaly.com
cooked to perfection.
©Blogginginitaly.com
followed by sausages…
©Blogginginitaly.com
and served with salad.
©Blogginginitaly.com
At this point, almost all are leaning back in their chairs, taking a deep breath, and thinking they have reached the end…until…
Time for dessert!
©Blogginginitaly.com
Fresh fig and fresh apple/pistachio tortes served with gelato, caramelized figs, and moscato, a sparkling white wine.
Una bellissima serrata, as we say here…a beautiful night… filled with great food, great friends, and lots of love. We also had a surprise visitor during Aperitivo. Our dear friend Ted (who is looking terrific!), joined us via FaceTime. After everyone said their hellos, we raised our glasses and saluted him and his health with a rowdy round of Brindisino!
To you, Ted, from your Cortona family, buona salute!
©Blogginginitaly.com
And many thanks to our hosts and dear friends for sharing their Italian traditions with us.
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
awesome…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our mouths are watering! The Italians really know how to live. We are returning to Cortona (our home away from Minnesota) in four weeks. We love that town. Can’t wait to stroll down Nazionale, drop in on Ivan, and laze-away in the piazza (gelato in hand).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you’ve got the routine down well!
LikeLike
What great photos of amazing food and wonderful people!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, and soon you’ll be partaking!
LikeLike
Envy you!!! Abrazos!!!!
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Abbracci back at you!
LikeLike
Just beautiful – everything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, it really was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This has to be my favorite of your blogs!!! Grazie tanto tutti.
I won’t miss the next party!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome. And, we’re counting on that, Ted!
LikeLike
Everything looks and sounds perfect 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Speaking of sounds, I love the chatter at the table of all the different conversations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In typical Italian fashion, it’s not always easy to keep up, but fun yes!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am blown away by this. Cento per cento. Juj, what a truly incredible experience, night, community, celebration. Your pictures are absolute perfection. As usual my mouth started watering as soon as I saw the aperitivo table. The steaks would turn a vegetarian to a meat eater! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey with all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for writing – just one more reason for you to visit! xo
LikeLike
Judy, Judy, Judy, stop. I want to be there and taste all that wonderful food. I know I would enjoy your friends, but I don’t speak Italian. Bummer. You are an incredible photographer and storyteller! Keep the Blogs coming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sandy, as you know, you don’t need to speak Italian to enjoy our friends – as long as you can move your hands and smile, you are communicating well enough!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this traditional moment
The pictures are so convincing they elicit a Pavlovian response
Excuse me while I make myself presentable
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome and stay tuned for many more of these wonderful traditional moments!
LikeLike
Cortona takes my breath away. The addition of friends there would be even better
LikeLike
That’s so true, it’s the friends that make it feel like home for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person