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Olive Harvest 2011 Frontignano, Umbria

Casa Betti — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:27:40 +0000

Arlene and Michele picking olives

In Frontignano, olive harvest is usually done the first week of November. The weather has to be dry, no rain, because the olive tree can be damaged as well as the olives that are going to be used for olive oil. This year, we sarted on November 1st and worked on one grove for two days and another grove for 3 days. Lots of fun and cultural but you get a good workout. Olive oil is green in color and pure virgin. Buono! Ciao, Arlene

Sights and Sounds

Casa Betti — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:56:18 +0000

Hunting season has started and sounds of barking dogs and gun fire surround the area. For some, this is part of “living off the land” and stocking their freezers with meat that will take them through the winter. It is not so primitive (as there are stores to buy food) as it sounds but most rely on this way of life. They hunt pheasant, birds, libre (wild rabbit) around the house. Wild boar is no longer in these parts so they have to go about 20-30 minutes drive to hunt. The men walk down the road with guns in slings over their shoulders and their dogs alongside them. In Italy, a hunter can go on any land to hunt and does not have to ask permission from the land owner.

ci vediamo

Arlene

Autunno a Frontignano

Casa Betti — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:05:32 +0000

Autumn has arrived in Frontignano with the leaves changing colors and the crisp air.

I am looking out my window at the vineyards that have already been harvested and the olive trees that are ready for harvest in a few days. The sun is shining which is a good day to go and gather the walnuts from my trees. The walnuts are in a pod, which you break open, and if the shell of the nut is black it is called “brutto” (no good). If the shell of the nut is brownish/tan it is called “bene” (good).

Hopefully. we will have many “bene” walnuts as this year’s harvest is good compared to last year.

Ciao,

Arlene

Spring in Frontignano

Casa Betti — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:22:40 +0000

Spring has arrived in Frontignano…………thank God after such a cold winter. Europe had the coldest winter in 100 years. Now the flowers are starting to bloom, flower boxes are being put outside with new plantings and the sunflower fields have been planted.

The landscape is an endless vista of rolling hills with sunflower fields. Bellisimo!

The weather is in the 60′s and the days are getting longer. What a beautiful place to be.

ci vediamo,

Arlene

Cortona

Casa Betti — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:01:36 +0000

Today is a beautiful day in Frontignano, tempo bell0, temperature beautiful.

The little town of Cortona, which is where the movie Under The Tuscan Sun was filmed, is about a 45 minute drive from Casa Betti.

It is quaint and as you are driving up to the town center the countryside is very pretty. There is a leather shop that has very nice things and the leather is from Florence, which is about a 2 hour drive from the house. There is another store that specializes in olive wood creations that make nice gifts.

Cortona has restaurants, wine bars and coffee shops. One thing to remember is that in these little towns most restaurants and shops close between 1 and 4 p.m. Wine and coffee shops are open.

So I either leave early and get my cappuccino and pastry there or go later for some dinner and wine.

ci vediamo,

Arlene

Todi

Casa Betti — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:14:00 +0000

As you can see, Todi is one of the most strikingly situated hilltop towns in Umbria that looks down over the Tiber Valley.

Todi was an ancient Estruscan settlement and then Roman, which is why it still preserves a medieval air, with tiny churches, three palaces and many sleepy corners.

I love to drive to Todi and either park my car at the church of Santa Maria della Consolazione and walk up the “hill” to the town center………very good exercise or another choice is to park my car by the tram and take that up to the town center. The tram lets you off at a little park with a beautiful view of the Tiber Valley……….breathtaking. I then stroll around Todi and have a capacuino, if early, or a glass of wine in late afternoon or early evening.

ci vediamo

Arlene

Green Heart of Italy

Casa Betti — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:59:25 +0000

Umbria is known as the “green heart” region of Italy. Italy is made up of several regions and most are touched by the Adriatic or Mediterranean Seas. Umbria is touched by land on all sides and is known for its “hilltop” towns. Our hilltop town is Todi, about 7 km. from the house, and Frontignano is on the backside. Todi is a lovely town and does not have as many tourists as Orvieto, Spoleto and Assisi. The countryside is beautiful with fields of sunflowers growing during summer, grapevines for the autumn harvest and hills filled with olive trees and foliage. It truly is the “green heart” region of Italy. Come……….you will enjoy!

ci vediamo,

Arlene

Traditional Umbrian Dish

Casa Betti — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:20:53 +0000

A traditional dish of the region, Todi/Frontignano, is Italian sausage with lentils. It is tasty and simple to prepare. I usually get about 10 sausages for 4 people. I cook the sausage in the oven for about 2 hours. I like to cook slowly so they get nice and brown but still remain juicy. Next brown a whole clove of garlic and add a package of lentils to the pan. I cook the lentils in the same pan allowing the flavor of the garlic to be absorbed while cooking. Add some salt,pepper and sage to your taste. Spoon the lentils into a nice serving dish layering the sausage in a circle on top of the lentils. Take a sprig of parsley or basil to put in the center and serve. Great presentation. Some Italian bread with butter and a tossed salad and a bottle of red wine complete the meal. Buon appetito!

ci vediamo

Arlene

Slow Day of Bliss

Casa Betti — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:33:40 +0000

Today feeling very slow and lazy. Looking at the rolling green hills out the windows filled with grape vines and thinking what a beautiful, relaxing way of life. Think I am going to have a glass of wine and read a book. This may not be an exquisite hotel with a lavish view of the sea but it is just as beautiful. I think tonight we may go to my favorite restaurant, The Umbrian Restaurant, in Todi and have a quiet, delicious dinner by the fireplace.

Ci vediamo!

Arlene

Sagrantino Grape

Casa Betti — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:45:37 +0000

The sagrantino grape is indigenous to the Montefalco region in Umbria. My favorite wine is the Sagrantino Wine from Antionelli. It is full body and smooth on the palate. The wine can be bought to drink now or you can store for up to 15 years. Antionelli Cantina is located about 20 minutes from the house. It is a small-medium size winery with a friendly staff. I would highly recommend taking a drive to taste some of their wine. If you would like to order this wine go to www.thewineshopbend.com.

Ci vediamo!
Arlene