The Gardens...

What a beautiful day to wake up and know you are in Italy!   Our first full day in Orsara, and we are well rested and ready to learn about this culinary treasure trove. 

Our day consisted of the gardens, touring and learning the practices and methods employed here at Peppe Zullo's.  What a variety of herbs, vegetables and fruits.  A garden is an essential connection to the earth.  From walking on the earth, digging in the dirt, cultivating seeds as they grow into plants and harvesting their fruits.  When we follow this process, we learn about life in many ways. The idea of tending to a seed, seed germination and  being patient for the harvest.  We learn and observe how all things need their time to blossom.  When the conditions are right, their is growth.  Harvest is such a joyous time, to reap those rewards for being patient and caring to your seed.

In these moments, where we allow ourselves to relax into the earth, we are able to ponder the mysteries and learn the ways of nature.  The earth becomes a part of us when we eat of the harvest, the product of this seed and the elements.  It is am amazing exchange between, the earth and our bodies.  Cycle of life is found in the garden.

Of course the meals have been bounissimo!   All fresh local products are used and prepared to bring out their natural beauty.  There was a pork dish, with a mashed potato stuffed pepper.  Certainly a dish that many of our clients would enjoy!  It will be fun to bring this back to the restaurant and use our local products to produce something equally as amazing. 

For tonight, bouna notte tutti!