the italian girl

Granny Squares.

I have to say I'm very proud of myself for having finally learned how to crochet Granny Squares!! I've always loved them, since I was little. They make me think of the nuns I used to visit every summer in the "Sacred Heart Convent" in Florence. My great-aunt Eleonora was the Mother Superior at the time. All the nuns were always so full of attentions, so lively and happy. Me and my little sister had the privilege to often sleep in the Convent, in the old infirmary. Every morning we would wake up with a little gift waiting for us on our night-stand. They could do so many beautiful things, one of these were the nice big blankets made of colorful granny squares... how many sweet memories I have. 

So, thinking of my sweet Florentine nuns (and thanks to the help of my husband, who found a link on you-tube where they teach you how to crochet granny squares), I made a new purse! I think it came out pretty cute and it's now for sale in my shop.  

Fig Jam.

Today is the first day of Fall and I decided to spend it cooking a delicious Marmellata di Fichi... which is simply a fig jam. I love figs. I grew up climbing on fig trees, in their beautifully contorted branches, among their big green leaves. The fruit is so sweet and perfect that I believe was the one that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden... I'm very blessed to have 3 trees in my garden; one of them is very big and old, it makes many many figs every year. Today was the first time I thought of making a jam. It came out really good, I will use it to fill a crostata (an italian tart)... I can't wait to eat it!

It's very easy to make this recipe! I just used:

• 2 lbs. of fresh FIGS
• 2 cups of WATER
• 2 cups of SUGAR
• 1 pinch of CINNAMON

In a pot, melt the sugar in the water. Peel the figs, add them in the pot with the sweet water. Add the pinch of cinnamon (just a little pinch... not to cover the deliciousness of the figs). Cook over low heat, stirring once in a while. During the cooking time clean up the foam and extra seeds with a spoon. It will be ready in 2 to 3 hours. If you are not going to use it right away, you can put it in jars as you would do with any preserve.