We don’t have to tell you it’s hot! But it IS summer and something cooling is in order. This month we’re turning to fresh lemons. We always find most anything that's lemony to be light and refreshing. Seems like every Italian garden has a lemon tree - ranging from ones in huge pots to the large orchards found in Campania and along the Amalfi Coast. There are many recipes and uses in regional Italian cuisine and here are some ideas of how you can use them to brighten your summer menus. Check below for our recipes on lemon spaghettini and lemon granita. 

Our tours this spring were to Veneto and Piedmont. We were so happy to be back in Italy, sharing our favorite spots and finding new restaurants and sites. We shared the experience with several return clients and made new friends as well. The fruit was a bit late ripening this spring because of all the rain in northern Italy, but we had some delicious strawberries and cherries and left just as the apricots were starting to ripen up north. Italy was hit hard by a cool spring and a lot of rain, especially in the larger fruit and vegetable growing areas of Puglia, Sicily and Emilia Romagna. They anticipate higher than normal prices for all fruits and vegetables this summer, you may notice that on your travels.

Are you thinking about traveling with us? We’d love to have you experience Italy at its best! We’ve had some great feedback from our clients, if you’d like to read what they think, click here. Or here.

Keep cool and dream of sitting in a lemon grove on the coast of Italy, sipping a limoncello! We're considering resurrecting our tour to Campania - Naples, Capri & Amalfi next year! If interested, contact Mary.

Buon viaggio e buon appetito!

Gina and Mary

Lemon granita is super popular in Sicily and is often served with a brioche for breakfast! It’s easy to make and just takes stirring in the freezer every 30 minutes until done. Lemon ice can be made in an ice cream machine and is just as delicious, just a little creamier. In fact, you can add a little cream to make is more luscious! This is a perfect refreshment for a hot summer day. You can add granita to your ice tea to sweeten it up or enjoy granita with limoncello poured over for a light dessert.

Many recipes on the internet call for Meyer lemons, as if those are the best. They aren’t. Meyer lemons are a cross between a lemon and a tangerine and are less tart. They don’t exist in Italy so if you’re looking for authenticity - and seriously, who isn’t?! – use a large tart juicy lemon for best results.

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6

lemons)

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

Bring the water to a simmer and add the sugar. Turn off the heat and stir to dissolve. Let cool.

When the mixture is cool add the lemon juice and stir.

Pour the mixture into a shallow container that fits in your freezer.

Place it in your freezer. After a half hour take it out to break up the crystals that are forming on the sides. Do this every half hour until you’ve got a kind of slushy consistency. The more you break it up, the better the consistency.

Enjoy!