Molto Italiano featured item:

From The Savino Sisters Mystery Series, a comedy drama about too much togetherness leading to conflict and crime for two thirty-something St. Louis sisters vacationing in Italy. When glamorous Margo opts for a steamy romance in Florence, plain-Jane Ellen travels alone to their next destination, a charming hillside villa at La Spezia. The owner Lorenzo, a mysterious widower, insists on showing Ellen around Cinque Terre, five picturesque villages overlooking the Ligurian Sea. Ellen is determined to experience the local culture but instead encounters unexpected intrigue in Monterosso el Mare where gypsies are turning up dead faster than Lorenzo can show her the sights. Then Margo arrives, and soon discovers her own life is in danger.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

Trendy Beaches, Deceiving Witches
Legends say that no woman can become a witch just by a wink of the eye in Romagna. Come the witches’ night between the 23 and 24 of June the town of San Giovanni in Marignano, in province of Rimini is filled with witches who are said to be particularly active and deceiving this night.

The Little Blue One
The legend says that every five years at the summer solstice, her slight figure holding a red rag ball in her hands appears among the castle walls. Light footsteps, sighs and cries are heard and her voice saying “Dad, dad, I’m here”.

Share a Photo, Recipe, Story or Tradition
Italy is a wonderful and magnificent country filled with traditions, stories, incredible food and breath taking views. With your help Italiansrus.com can help show the world just what Italy has to offer. There are four ways you can help so just select one of the choices and you will be presented with guidelines and a form you can use to contact me about your submission.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
La Mano del Turco Montagna Spaccata La Mano del Turco embedded in the wall at the Montagna Spaccata. Legend has it that a Turkish sailor did not believe that the Mountain cracked when Christ died. He placed his hands on this spot and said that if this legend is true than let this rock turn to liquid. The rock did and it left an imprint of his hand.

* Proverb
Per cent’anni

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for panna cotta.

FEATURED PARTNER
Italian Clothing & Novelties
Proudly display the colors of Italy with these great products. There are over 100 different designs to choose from and over 40 products per design. Shop from home with the comfort of knowing that your order is backed by a 100% Money Back Guarantee. This 30-Day Guarantee gives you plenty of time to check items for color, high-quality, and size for yourself, family and friends.

Volume 16, No. 24

June 12, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 24

Molto Italiano featured item:

Bocce Ball Set with Soft Carry Case

Enjoy quintessential summertime fun with this AmazonBasics bocce ball set. One of the oldest forms of lawn bowling, the relaxing yet strategic game invites players of all ages and skill levels to participate. From family time to socializing with friends and neighbors, the bocce ball set has a way of bringing people together. The set includes four green balls and four red balls, as well as a white pallino and a measuring device for making close calls.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

Giostra del Saracino (The Joust of the Saracen)
If you happen to be near the town of Arezzo in June or September, you will want to make sure you witness the Joust of the Saracen. This historical reenactment is filled with pageantry and games as the town is transformed back to the 14th century and all those that participate are dressed in costumes from that period.

Strawberries
What could be more satisfying than having a delicious mouth watering strawberry? Well, I am sure if you think hard enough you might come up with something, but for the time being let’s just enjoy this intriguing yet scrumptious fruit.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week

The houses located in the town of Mongrassano.

* Proverb
Amore e gelosia nacquero insieme

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for sautéed broccoli rabe.

Volume 16, No. 23

June 5, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 23

Molto Italiano featured item:

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts: Fully Roasted: Betty White, Gov. Ronald Reagan, Bette Davis

THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS were a fixture on NBC’s Thursday night lineup from 1973 to 1984. In those 11 years, Dean and his panel of pals successfully ridiculed, embarrassed and made fun of legendary stars and America loved it!

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

When Dino Sang, That Was Amore
Dean Martin’s charisma appealed to all types and ages. The ladies were attracted to his dark good looks and romantic singing voice. Youngsters adored his silly shenanigans with partner Jerry Lewis. But it was Martin’s bon vivant lifestyle that earned the envy of every man.

That’s A Morra
Have you ever been to a picnic or social gathering and seen a group of men yelling and throwing fingers at each other? Did you ever wonder what exactly they were doing? Believe it or not they were enjoying a game of morra, which just so happens to be a game that can be traced back to Roman times.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week

The Castello Baronale (Baronal Castle) in Minturno, Italy. The castle dates back to the 9th century and it housed important figures as St. Thomas Aquinas, Isabella Colonna and Giulia Gonzaga.

* Proverb
Chi incontra buona moglie ha gran fortuna

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for parmigiana di melanzane.

Volume 16, No. 22

May 30, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 22

Molto Italiano featured item:

My Brilliant Friend: Neapolitan Novels, Book One

Soon to be an HBO series, book one in the New York Times bestselling Neapolitan quartet about two friends growing up in post-war Italy is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted family epic by Italy’s most beloved and acclaimed writer, Elena Ferrante. Beginning in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Ferrante’s four-volume story spans almost sixty years, as its protagonists, the fiery and unforgettable Lila, and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflictual friendship.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

Discover the Danger in Romanticizing Italy
I’ve been romanticizing Italy all my life. But after having lived in Italy with my native Italian husband and his family and seeing with my own two eyes what Italy really is, I see danger in these romantic visions. We’re doing a great disservice to the homeland and ourselves when we don’t recognize harsh realities.

Wine Excellence Award Goes to Castello Banfi of Tuscany
Castello Banfi, the iconic vineyard estate in the Montalcino district of Tuscany, continues its high standards of excellence with its latest accolade from the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy. American-owned and operated, Banfi was the recipient of the Wine Excellence Award for “the Italian wine producer who has made the greatest contribution to developing relations between Italy and the U.S.”

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week

The Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan), is the largest technical university in Italy.

* Proverb
Donna danno, sposa spesa, moglie maglio

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for pollo alla valdostana.

Volume 16, No. 21

May 22, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 21

Molto Italiano featured item:

Italian Americans in World War II

At the beginning of World War II, Italian citizens living in the United States were referred to as “Enemy Aliens.” Yet hundreds of young Italian Americans flocked to recruiting stations, and over 500,000-perhaps as many as 1.5 million-served in the military during the war. Despite the difficulties they faced, including the possibility of having to fight against Italians, countless Italian Americans received decorations for bravery, fourteen of whom received the Medal of Honor.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

Giuseppe Garibaldi
He was an Italian nationalist and soldier of the Risorgimento. He personally led many of the military campaigns that brought about the formation of a unified Italy.

Dominic Salvatore Gentile
Variously called “a one-man Air Force,” “Captain Courageous,” and “the Ace of Aces,” Captain Dominic Gentile had few peers when it came to air combat. Along with his close friend and dedicated wingman, John T. Godfrey, their lethal partnership so plagued Hermann Göring’s Luftwaffe during World War II that they earned the epithet, “Debden Gangsters.”

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
The Palazzo Ducale in Marigliano.

* Proverb
Chi ha moglie ha doglie

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for braciollatini.

Volume 16, No. 20

May 15, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 20

Molto Italiano featured item:

The Trip to Italy

Comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon reunite for a tour of Italy’s finest food, hotels and women in this hilarious sequel to their 2009 hit.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

La Maggiolata
The last two Sundays in May mark an important event in the Lucignano’s history. During this time the town celebrates La Maggiolata, which is a celebration that marks the beginning of the summer’s bounty. There is much to do during this week long celebration which includes a stunning parade with four wagons completely covered with flowers.

Mount Vesuvius
This is probably the most famous volcano in the world and it also happens to be the only active volcano located on the mainland of Europe.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
The Certosa di San Lorenzo (also known as Certosa di Padula) is a large Carthusian monastery. This is one of most important monasteries located in Europe and in 1998 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park and the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia.

* Proverb
Matrimoni e vescovati sono dal cielo destinati

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for fried calamari.

Volume 16, No. 19

May 7, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 19

Molto Italiano featured item:

My mom is the best. La mia mamma e la migliore

Bilingual Italian picture book for children. A lovely book for Mother’s day! Spoken from a child’s perspective, this beautifully illustrated book highlights the many things mothers do for their family, everyday. Children across the world offer to help their mothers with good intentions.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

10 Reasons Italian Mammas are the Best
Italian mammas are the coolest around. They worship at the altar of you. Most of them will continue to cook and clean for you (and your spouse and kids) long after you leave the nest. They even do laundry, folks! And they will kick you know what in your defense at a moment’s notice. But that’s just the tip of the Boot. Here are 10 other reasons they’re the best.

Gomorrah Season 2 Returns to America
While Italians have already seen all of season 1 and season 2, Americans are only two episodes into the second season. (You can read recaps of the episodes at the Italian Mamma website.) Even though this is one of the most difficult shows to watch because of the graphic, heinous violence, I recommend it as must-see TV for anyone who has an interest in Italy. Discover why you should tune in.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
Our Lady of Assumption Nola A view of the statue of Our Lady of the Assumption/Madonna dell’Assunta located within the Cathedral of Nola.

* Proverb
Chi si marita in fretta, stenta adagio

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for carrot fennel soup.

Volume 16, No. 18

May 1, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 18

Molto Italiano featured item:

Ti voglio bene, mamma I Love My Mom

Tutti amano la propria mamma, a qualsiasi età. In questo racconto della buonanotte, il piccolo coniglietto Jimmy e i suoi fratellini più grandi, cercano di trovare il regalo perfetto per il compleanno della loro mamma. Vogliono mostrarle il loro amore. Everybody loves their Mom, no matter what their age. In this bedtime story, the little bunny Jimmy and his older brothers try to find a perfect present for Mom’s birthday.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

The Feast of San Domenico and the Ritual of Serpari of Cocullo
One of the most popular traditional feasts of Abruzzo, well-known also abroad, is undoubtedly the Feast of San Domenico in Cocullo, a small mountain village in the province of L’Aquila. You may ask yourself how a feast in a small village can be so well known outside of Italy. The reason for this is that the statue of San Domenico is covered with real snakes caught by locals called “serpari” (snake charmers).

Investing in property in Italy – what you should know
The house buying process is not a complicated one but can be better handled with the support of experts. As the legal system in Italy is different from what the client would be accustomed to, purchasing a property can be a daunting and confusing process not to mention the language barrier.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
Neptune's Grotto Neptune’s Grotto, which is a cave located within Capo Caccia near Alghero, Sardinia. The grotto is a natural jewel and geological wonder that attracts over 150,000 visitors a year.

* Proverb
Casa il figlio quando vuoi e la figlia quando puoi

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for marinara sauce.

Volume 16, No. 17

April 24, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 17

Molto Italiano featured item:

No Place Like Rome: A Lexi Carmichael Mystery

Italy might seem like a long way to go to hide after a disastrous date. But when sexy überhacker Slash (no, that’s not his real name) asks me to go with him to Rome on an investigation, the timing is sort of perfect. My messed-up love life becomes the least of my worries, though, after the dead body, the near-kidnapping and the discovery of a top secret encrypted file that even I can’t hack.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

Should Italian Parents Start Vaccinating Their Kids Again?
Many Italians, including controversial political figure and comedian Beppe Grillo, have suggested that the side-effects of vaccinations make people weary of them. Some experts say this is just part of the “natural cycle” when dealing with diseases. Nonetheless, discover some reasons to reconsider vaccinations in Italy (or anywhere else).

Mustard Greens–More Than Just a Pretty Valley Flower
For those who enjoyed eating them, the pungent mustard greens were a fresh source of vitamin A. Valley ranchers generously allowed residents on to their land to pick the cherished greens. After a spring rain, my family and I were among the many mustard green enthusiasts to beat a path to the muddy orchards to gather our share of the bitter greens.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
The Trieste e Trento Square. The building in the center is the Galleria Umberto Primo.

* Proverb
Uomo ammogliato, uccello in gabbia

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for ricotta cheese.

Volume 16, No. 16

April 17, 2017 italiansrus

Volume 16 No. 16

Molto Italiano featured item:

Coloring Europe: Bella Italia: A Coloring Book Tour of the World Capital of Romance

Color your favorite sights and scenes in the country of Italy, as you savor its cuisine, art, and architecture as if you were actually there. Enjoy a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe or take a nostalgic trip by gondola, as you experience Italy’s rich culture as brought to life by Il-Sun Lee’s evocative illustrations.

NEWSLETTER FEATURES

Mary Tedesco
You might call her the Nancy Drew of genealogy. You can certainly make the case that she is the goddess of genealogy. Either way Mary Tedesco’s love for family and its heritage has lead her on a journey through time as she looks to unearth the mysteries behind your heritage.

Make Sweet Easter Last
Did you know Pasquetta (Easter Monday) is a legal holiday in Italy? Find out how you can celebrate this day with a picnic like the Italians and make your holiday endure one more day. This two part article includes a couple of menus that you can prepare for your picnic with family and friends.

MOLTO ITALIANO FEATURES
* Photo of the Week
Boats in the harbor at Muggia.

* Proverb
Ogni vite vuole il suo palo

* Recipe
Here is a great recipe for fusilli alla puttanesca.