Qualita della Vita

Qualita della Vita is something measured in Italian regions and cities. It is calculate based on certain criteria including on the price of a loaf of bread, the cleanliness of the air, the longevity of the people. I am sure my favourite town of Fermo comes very high on the list.

ceiling detail, Montemonaco

i miei pomidori

I was recently talking to Paolo in the bar and he was recounting the pleasures of his orto (allotment), in particular his delicious pomidori one of which had weighed in at 8.5 etti. Then later Filippo, the mechanic who was fixing my car began telling me, spanner in hand, eyes twinkling, about how nothing compared with the delicate, sweet taste of his home grown pomidorini, and then at lunch time when Sam suggested going to a local restaurant I realised I had been thinking about our own pomodori, that I already had my eye on the ripe ones I was going to pick for lunch. Anticipating their deliciousness I realised part of me had crossed over an intangible line; something to do with belonging to this landscape, everything to do with the taste of i miei pomidori.

Fernando's tart

Summer dessert recipe.

Go to Rita the baker. Buy one of her tarts prettily decorated by her sons and bring home. Try and save until supper time, but probably not succeed, but anyway sink knife into soft brushed pastry flowers and dark plum jam. Eat with fingers whilst shedding crumbs.

Photograph of Fernando's plum tart with lemon. Summer 2002.

The cool passageways of Fermo

I have been working in the summer heat in Fermo.
As I navigate my way through the steep cobbled streets I take the back routes so I can pass through the dark, ancient passageways of the town. This one is encountered on the short cut from Casa Marinelli up towards the duomo, and every time I walk through in summer I think of the centuries of people, the horses, the life that has passed by these same brick walls and felt the same welcome breeze on their skin.