Anne Robichaud

Anne Robichaud, Annesitaly.com & Contributing Writer

St. Anthony's Fire and St. Anthony's Blessings

January 2019
St. Anthony Abbot, much venerated throughout Italy, is a hermit saint who died in the deserts of Egypt on January 17 in the fourth century (not to be confused with St. Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan saint of the 13th century). Legend has it that...


Il Torcolo di San Costanzo

January 2019
The Torcolo di San Costanzo is a rich raisin, pinon and citron-ladened sweet bread created in honor of San Costanzo, one of the patron saints of Perugia, Italy. Executed on January 29 during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, his memory is celebrated...


Here Comes La Madonna!

December 2018
No, Madonna is not arriving in Assisi but La Madonna is – or so the children believe. As darkness creeps in on December 7 just before the vigil of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on the 8th, the men of the Comunita Montana (Forestry Service)...


Borlotti/Farro Soup

December 2018
As the wood stove chugs away the chilly days, the wood stove top is perfect for simmering soups like Borlotti/Farro soup. The speckled beans and the oldest wheat variety ever cultivated create a delicious meal.Borlotti/Farro Soup  (4 – 6...


Chestnuts, New Wine and Rural Lore

November 2018
The Chapel dedicated to St. Martin and frescoed by Simone Martini in the 14th century is certainly one of the masterpieces in our Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, Umbria. St. Martin of Tours, a 4th century saint, is depicted as he gives his...


Pears, Prosciutto, Parsley, and More: A Tasty Antipasto Recipe

November 2018
A delectable new cheese now tempts customers at our favorite local caseificio (“cheeese-maker” or a place where cheeses are made and sold) here in Assisi. It’s their own sheep’s milk Roquefort, the blue di pecorino. It’s the perfect cheese to...


Italy Unites for Assisi's Feast of St. Francis

October 2018
Il 4 ottobre si celebra la festa di San Francesco, il ‘poverello di Assisi’ e santo tra i più amati e venerati in tutto il mondo e che nel 1939 venne proclamato Patrono d’Italia da Papa Pio XII. Da allora ogni anno una regione diversa – che...


A Spaghetti Sauce Trio: Eggplants, Tomatoes and Ricotta

October 2018
The freshly-made ricotta from our favorite caseficio inspired this pasta recipe. It’s easy, simple and buonissimo. Spaghetti alla Ricotta e MelanzaneIngredients: (for four people)2 Medium-sized eggplants2 Ripe tomatoes1/2 White onion1 Bunch fresh...


Saintly Gelati of Bolsena

September 2018
Patron saint and early Christian martyr, Santa Cristina, reigns in Bolsena (Lazio) – in unexpected ways. Wandering through the Basilica di Santa Cristina, one finds the early Christian catacombs, remains of a Longobard cemetery, medieval...


Recipes for an Umbrian Summer

September 2018
There’s nothing simpler to make, and nothing tastier, than a fresh tomato sauce. Just about any Italian restaurant will serve you pasta al pomodoro; it’s often my choice on a hot summer day. You’ll always know a good restaurant by their tomato...


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