Read about chestnuts
February 4th, 2010
In the comments to my last post, Sarah wrote to me. She’s from Tuscany Unlimited magazine in the UK. This was new to me so I looked it up: http://www.tuscanyunlimited.com If you’re Tuscany obsessed, you’ll want to check it out. To read many of the full articles, you must subscribe. Some are printed entire. I was happy to see my friend, winemaker Riccardo Barrachi featured. (You can buy his Ardito at many wine stores.) I loved the chestnut article, “The Bread of Life.” We gather chestnuts in early fall in Tuscany and use them to stuff a chicken, simmer in red wine, toast in the fireplace, or to make Monte Bianco, a grand dessert of chestnut puree and cream. The article shows a chestnut festival. We go to one as well and all the farmers dance and everyone eats cones of roasted chestnuts. Those Tuscan farmers can really dance!
And do you pipe the puree in great swirls into the mountain shape, with a crown of similarly-piped loops of whipped cream? I saw one of those years ago in a magazine—perhaps Bon Appetit—and I longed for the making of it, the great sticky sweet mass of that much marron to do with what I would.
It still lingers as a someday, to accomplish if for no other reason than to have done it. And the taste—it must taste of clouds.
Ms. Mayes, I have been pondering for some time now how I could contact you and tell you an amazing love story – another born in Tuscany. It evolved from a very chance meeting a small pizza shop in St. Ambrogia square. Please let me know if there is a more direct contact. I want so much for this story to be told, but have no idea where to start. I would love to tell you the basics and see if more is a possibility. Thank you for you work! I have so enjoyed reading the fiction and non-fiction and was astounded to find myself in the middle of the latter. I have pictures to attach if you are willing.
Thank you,
Ellen Kelley
Ellen, please write to me in care of Broadway Books, 1745 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York NY 10019. I’d say begin exactly where the story began for you, that instant when a story began to emerge. That is–the moment of change. Thanks for the note! Frances
Well, it is also time for “Castagnaccio”!!!
Hi Francis,
a twitter friend of mine directed me to your blog, and I have to say, I should have done it a few years ago.
My name is Gabriele, I come from Fiesole (Florence), now I live in Los Angeles.
About a decade ago I fell for this wonderful sassy lady I met in Santo Spirito, and after discussing the necessity of having kids together on our first date, I left my olive grove on the hills of Florence and I became… well, an immigrant.
When I was in Italy, the movie made out of your book was already out, but as a real Tuscan I obviously did not even consider remotely the idea of watching it……
Then one day, when I “got pregnant” for my first time, I finally had a chance and the sufficient nostalgia to sit down with my wife to be, and “come with you to Cortona”.
The story hit me like a punch in the stomach, what I always had, what I grew up with and always took for granted was not around me anymore…. and I missed it so much.
To help myself maintain the Memory of it all I always spoke Italian to my girls, always cooked for them the way my grandmother and mother did with/for me, and then I decided to start writing down all my memories in the kitchen.
Long story short,
For the past two and a half years, my wife and I have been posting video recipes on the internet, and our blog/show is doing incredibly well.
The title of the blog was very much inspired by your work: :”Under The Tuscan Gun”.
We try to teach how to cook Tuscan the right way, how to be healthy following the rules in preparation and cooking that are adopted in every household of the peninsula.
Just wanted o drop by,
say hi,
and thank you for inspiring my work.
Ciao
Gabriele
http://www.underthetuscangun.com
Great story. I’m going to visit your blog. We often feel under the Tuscan gun ourselves. ci vediamo–F
Francis,
I love the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. I have watched it so many times….it’s a movie that transports me to Italy for a couple of hours, which I love to do.
I have your book Bringing Tuscany Home, and in it you mention the Apricot Exterior Color you used on both your homes, and I was wondering if you would share that color brand and name with me.
We bought a home in August in high desert Wine Country in Arizona this past August, and are in the process of doing many things to it that have been in disrepair, sounding like your home in Italy, a little maybe? We have already painted 2 different colors of paint on the exterior walls trying to decide what color we want, and I would love to have a sample of the color you love so much, if you are willing to share.
Thank you for all the beautiful pictures and wonderful information in your book Bringing Home Tuscany. The first time I’ve ever actually read a book with mostly pictures. It was so fun to be privy to all the details and time that went into your home(s).
Thank you,
Robyn Raley
Ciao Robyn, The pale apricot I used on my former home in CA was one I mixed from several! It was peachy-apricot, quite light but warm and changed as the light did.
I often find colors I love in Renaissance paintings. I think at that time I was looking at Filippo Lippi’s Annunciazione–the lighter parts of the angel’s robe! Thanks for your note. Frances
Hello Frances, I am eagerly awaiting shipment of the olive oil…. You have inspired me to enjoy my time in the kitchen! AND, my husband and I are planning to visit Italy this year (”Under the Tuscan Sun” really got me motivated.) Thank you. Also, have you seen Ciao Chow Linda’s site? You should check out her recipes….: http://ciaochowlinda.blogspot.com/
Hi Frances,
Visiting Tuscany was a long-held dream of mine, intensified after seeing the film inspired by “Under the Tuscan Sun” and last year, was absolutely thrilled to get the chance to visit with my husband. After reading all of your later books, I have now had the opportunity to read “Under the Tuscan Sun” and was gobsmacked by the inconsistencies of the film’s portrayal, compared to your original book. I have to ask, were you involved with the film at all and were you happy with the way the story was told? I also loved “Swan” and am looking forward to your new release. I live in Australia and would love to spend more time in Italy in the future. Thanks.
Alison–Yes, I liked the film! It was more dramatic than the book because all my quiet observations don’t quite transfer to Big Screen. I loved Diane Lane’s interpretation and thought Audrey Wells did a great job directing and writing the screenplay. I guess romance beats out restoration on film. Sometimes restoration lasts longer!
I’d love to attend the chestnut festival. I really enjoyed “Under the Tuscan Sun”.
Hi Frances:
Now I am hooked and very interested in Tuscany. I too have really enjoyed your work and look forward to more. It looks like many of your readers are of the same mindset.
We have a long-standing family tradition here in Wisconsin, where every winter we host a large chestnut roasting party. It’s been happening since my grandparents started it in the 1960’s, and every year when I light up the fireplace and pull out their chestnut roaster, I’m transported back in time to all of the parties and good times in the past. I’ve never eaten chestnuts aside from roasting them over the fire, and now I’ll have to try stuffing a chicken, simmering them in red wine, and all of the other delicious ways you mentioned above.
I’m eagerly waiting for your next Tuscany book to hit the shelves! Thanks for all that you do!
Last night we needed a break for a couple of hours so I got out the DVD of Under The Tuscan Sun and rewatched it. While I do not enjoy it as much as the book, it is still a little touch of Europe for me. I have read all of your Tuscany books and eagerly await the new one. I have only been to Milano and The Lake Country of Italy, but fell in love with them. Especially Lake Maggiore. I was privileged to spend over six months in Europe last year and loved it all.
I am also a Southern born Californian. My parents came from Minnesota, so I also relate to your husband. Most of all I felt a connection because I have a passion for old houses. My other connection is through my daughter, she was a student at San Francisco State in the late 1980’s, she received her MFA there in 1990 and became a college art instructor. I often wondered if she ever had one of your classes. Unfortunately I cannot ask her as we lost her to cancer three years ago.
Thank you for your insight and the pleasure you bring through your writing.
Elrich sounds familiar. I probably did know her. Very sorry for your profound loss. Thanks for writing.
yes. informative post ))
Well now. I feel hungry and dinner is stilll 2 hours away! Recipes r wonderful.
Thank you for the reply to the comment I put in back in March. I sort of forgot about it and just saw it today. Our daughter’s name was Erin, just in case you actually did know her. I am still looking forward to the new book, I haven’t acquired it yet.
I really like the rose post, I showed it to my husband, who also liked it. Maybe there’s a chance he’ll be inspired and build one.
Cara Frances, mi è talmente piaciuto il tuo Under The Tuscan Sun che ho deciso di scrivere la mia tesi di laurea sul tuo romanzo.Potrei avere una breve intervista? Tutto via mail ovviamente…. Spero di ricevere una risposta positiva! Grazie per i tuoi libri!
Cara Frances, sono talmente affascinata dal tuo modo di scrivere che ho deciso di farne oggetto di studio: sto scrivendo la mia tesi sul tuo romanzo Under The Tuscan Sun. Saresti disponibile per una breve intervista via mail? Aspetto con ansia una tua risposta!
Grazie per i tuoi libri.
Gloris—Si, cara–respondo subito! Frances