They said it was gonna be a Teddy Bear picnic...
...but all I did was sit under a bench.
Did you know that even teddy bears have their own special picnic day? I had July 10th marked on the calendar months ago, but when we got to our favorite picnic table at the top of the mountain, the spot was already taken. This is where you might begin to say “the early bird gets the worm” and while that may be true, I would just as well drive around until another solution presented itself. Like this bench for example. It was sitting alone on the side of the road surrounded by cool forest. In fact that's one of the nice things to love about Italy, the single panchina that randomly appears where you'd least expect it. This one was nowhere near a home, park or residential area - a perfect spot for a picnic. We had a big pot of cacciucco to split between the two of us.
I don't want to say cacciucco in the style of Livorno's very famous fish stew, but this was close enough. I've read that a proper cacciucco calls for 12 types of seafood that will include fish, shellfish, mollusks and crustaceans.
I put monkfish, goatfish, hake, fasolari clams, shrimp and calamari rings in here, plus lobster oil drizzled into the finished dish.
Believe it or not, cacciucco requires a red, or in this case, a rosé that seems to have been made for this meal. As told to us by a person from Firenze, even though I wouldn't doubt what any of those tuscans have to say about their region's cuisine. They know their food and they know it well.
Gelati of the day
Not just one, but three flavors of gelato artigianale. We found a new gelateria that recently opened shop and so far I am nothing but impressed with this place. Plus they're much closer to home with plenty of space to park. Usually we'll go to the center of Lecco to Grom and a couple of other great gelaterie, but the parking is always a grind.
Labels: gelato
scribbled from the chestnut forest by Rowena... at 1:20 PM
14 Comments:
All looks "souper" .. how great to find a new Gelateria and near to home with parking .. looks tasty.
A typical Italian picnic, no sandwiches and plastic cups here! :-) Looks lovely!
Poor Mr. B - no fish for him. What fun to have a Teddy Bear Picnic!
Woman, when you said teddy bear picnic I thought sandwiches in a Tupperware, a bag of chips and a couple of cans of Coke in a cooler. I should have known that when you go out, you go all out! Now that's what I call the mother of all teddy bear picnics. The fish soup makes me wish you were within driving distance. OMG, how I love fish! And did you bring stemware to a picnic! You classy lady, you! Mr. B, I wuv you! :)
what a picnic! too cool!
Ditto all of the above from a now hungry Tamakikat.
Official picnic envy. Yum.
D
PS. Thanks for stopping by 3inGiro. I have comments closed this summer during the daily photo marathon. I'll be "back" in the Fall.
Anne - this is probably the only gelateria near ours that has such ample parking space. The downside is that it isn't facing the street so unless you knew about it (or have a super eagle eye), you would pass by without even knowing it.
Saretta - never ever plastic on our picnics! I especially can not stand wine in plastic cups.
Fern - he did have an apple, but he probably expected meaty ribs.
Bella - amazing how something like real plates, utensils and drinking glasses make all the difference...in a picnic. Life is good!
Kat - unfortunately not Mr B's sentiments, I think.
TK - there's another fish stew that I want to try - waterzooi - but that will have to wait until it's cooler.
Dana - enjoy your summer and see you in fall!
Oh boy...that cacciucco looks fantastic!
What did Mr. B really do?
Nate - for much of the time he really was sitting under that bench. He sat for the pic only after I said snack!
If you go down to the woods today...your'e in for a really big surpise because you'll find Rubber Slippers, MoTH, Maddie and Mr B. fine dining.
Perfect food and weather for a picnic in the countryside.
casalba - and tomorrow you just might find Mr B at his ice cream stand! (this oughtta be hint enough for what's in store...)
LindyLou - I am so glad that it doesn't get as unbearably hot like other places. The highest is 29°C...but with a mountain altitude to cool things a bit.
ooh yes, that is my kind of picnic, a stunner!
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