Anne Robichaud

Anne Robichaud, Annesitaly.com & Contributing Writer

Santa Maria degli Angeli in Festa

January 2018
Just below Assisi, in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the guild of St. Anthony (Compagnia di Sant’Antonio) was formed at the time of the construction of the 17th century Basilica, built over the site where St. Francis of Assisi died in 1226. The...


Fusilli con Zucca, Prosciutto e Salvia

January 2018
(Fusilli Pasta with Winter Squash, Prosciutto and Sage) That rich coral-orange winter squash appeals to the eye as well as to the palate. Ingredients (serves 4 – 6 people): ½ lb. Fusilli pasta 1-1 ½ lbs. Winter squash, diced 5-6 Fresh sage...


Pasta alle Melanzane: A Summertime Recipe

October 2017
This Sicilian eggplant pasta dish is a hit! Ingredients (serves 4 – 6 people):4 – 6 Medium-sized eggplantsExtra virgin olive oil, q. b. (“quanto basta” or “as much as you need”)½ C. Sunflower seed oil (or other vegetable oil)Parmesan cheese, q....


That Kaleidoscopic Rural Life of Nino, an Assisi Artist

September 2017
“I won’t paint subjects guaranteed to earn me money: I have to paint the memories of my rural childhood,” Nino told me with a grin as he held up the painting of his Nonna brandishing a small hoe over her head like a banner of victory, chasing her...


Basilica di San Francesco: A Sublime Set for Sublime Music

September 2017
La basilica di San Francesco ad Assisi, è il luogo che dal 1230 conserva e custodisce le spoglie mortali del santo serafico. Lo scorso novembre questo magnifico luogo dal significato religioso inestimabile ha fatto da scena ad un concerto di Frate...


Italy's Mediterranea Diet: Topping Chez Panisse

August 2017
In 1971, Alice Waters basically launched a California version of the Mediterranean diet when opening Chez Panisse in Berkeley, promoting farm-to-table, fresh, local ingredients. Although I’d studied at UCB in the early 1970’s, I finally tried out...


Spello's Infiorate: Saying It with Flowers

August 2017
It’s not just a kaleidoscope of flowers but seeds, wild field greens, wild fennel, leaves, and walnut, cypress and other seed pods blended in stunning floral tapestries to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Domini (60 days after Easter) in Spello each...


Fresh Tomatoes on that Pasta!

August 2017
In hot weather, there is nothing more refreshing than pasta with a fresh tomato sauce. “Why have a sauce simmering on a hot stove on a steamy summer day,” you might ask. For an Italian, though, what’s lunch without pasta? So here is the perfect...


A Recipe of Enticement: Strawberry (or Peach) Tiramisu

July 2017
In June, strawberries are in our Umbrian garden – and strawberry tiramisu will often be dessert for dinner guests. In July, peaches come along and this dish is also buonissimo substituting peaches for the strawberries. A main ingredient of...


St. Benedict’s Feast: Banners Waive Despite Destruction

June 2017
Only the facade of the Basilica dedicated to St. Benedict still stands in Norcia following the earthquake of October 30, 2016: a sobering backdrop to the celebration of his feast day this year. Declared “Patron Saint of Europe” by Pope...


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