Italian flavors: Bella della Daunia Oil
“Bella di Cerignola” olives have been cultivated since time immemorial. Some believe that they come from the “Orchites” olives of the Romans, others believe they were introduced from Spain before 1400 AD. However, since there is no evidence of them among native Spanish varieties, they should be considered a native variety of Cerignola in ancient Da...
Italian culture and history: The Ruins of Alba Fucens
Alba Fucens, ancient Roman city at the base of Monte Velino (Province of L’Aquila), is an archaeological jewel that one should most definitely explore. In fact, the ruins that emerged from excavations initiated by Fernand De Visscher in 1949 (continued throughout the 20th Century and recently taken up again) are truly remarkable. Given that the cit...
IT and US: From the province of Ascoli Piceno to Hollywood
Marche is the only Italian region whose name is pronounced in the plural, where the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea seem to look at each other in the eyes: a region of a hundred theaters, with an infinity of natural, cultural and historical beauty. In addition, Marche has been the birthplace, in history, of as many as ten popes as well as some of th...
ICA: The Forms for Your Italian Citizenship Application
If you are confident that you’re eligible for Italian citizenship by descent, there are numerous documents you’ll need to acquire to prove the connection to your Italian ancestor. Which documents do you need, though, and which forms should you include? How do the forms differ between applying at a consulate and applying at a municipality? We cover...
Italian design: Italian Coffee. Strong, black, hot ... and sustainable
A Made in Italy of great significance is that concerning the production of Food Service Equipment, that is, machinery for professional kitchens and laboratories. This is an Italian excellence that we export all over the world and which sees our companies in a leading position internationally. Our country's Food Service Equipment turnover, according...
Italian wine: The Custoza Grape from the Glacial Hills Near Lake Garda
The Custoza grape is a native white grape from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy. Per the Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza’s site, the Custoza grape is “delicate, floral and fruity aromas with slightly aromatic herbs….recognizable for its freshness”. As the wines made from this grape ages they take on riper fruit notes, with savory characterist...
Italian good news: Blue Economy startups, a business worth 143 billion in Italy
According to Assonautica data, in Italy, the sea economy is worth 143 billion, which is equivalent to 8.9 % of GDP. There are 228,000 companies operating in the sector, with 914,000 people working in the sector, allowing a picture of a thriving situation for the Italian Blue Economy. The business is capable of generating a lot of wealth thanks to t...
Italian gardens and parks: Villa Cimbrone, Ravello
Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, quaint town in the province of Salerno, is a historic building built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Amalfi Coast and largely occupied by an extensive park decorated with statues, antiques, fountains, caves and culminating in a belvedere. It draws the origins of its name from the rocky ridge on which it stands, once...
What's up with WTI: Editorial # 168
Dear friends, What a month! So many things, so many friends, so many events! It always happens in October, but this year has been extraordinary! It actually started at the end of September, when in Florence I had the honor of representing We the Italians and the Italian American community at the Made in Italy event organized by Maurizio Mancianti,...
Italian land and nature: The Garden of Ninfa
The Garden of Ninfa (Giardino di Ninfa), built on the ruins of the medieval town of Ninfa in the Pontine Marshes (Agro Pontino), has been classified by the New York Times as one of the most beautiful and romantic gardens in the world. Declared a Natural Monument by the Lazio Region, the garden, given the delicate environmental balance, may only be...
Italian cuisine: Baked Pasta with Eggplant and Caciocavallo
October is National Italian American Heritage Month and National Pasta Month. One of the most iconic dishes of the Italian-American table is baked pasta. As the weather turns cooler, this Southern Italian recipe is the crowning glory of any Sunday Supper table. The recipe is from my Mediterranean Lifestyle for Dummies book, and is a perfect example...
Italian sport: Thomas Ceccon, the Italian shark
Since the arrival of the new millennium, Italian swimming has exploded at the world level. Throughout the last century, Italy had never achieved great results in international competitions, or at least only on a few occasions. Since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Italian swimmers have been winning relentlessly, and legendary champions such as Massi...