Unpacking Italy & Sicily - Part Six
Mamma Mia, What a Meal, What an Experience!
Hello friends,
One of the true highlights of this trip to Italy was visiting the local farms.
There’s something deeply special about learning from people who are immersed in their craft, welcoming you into their homes, their lives.
Our first farm visit was a traditional farm nestled in the Sorrento countryside—Azienda Agricola La Sorgente.
We began our tour in the olive oil mill, where Rosa, our lively and humorous guide, brought the old stones to life. With a twinkle in her eye and wit as bold as the ancient mill itself, she explained how olives were once pressed for their precious juice, which was then left in the pit to separate—along with any husbands who didn’t obey their wives, she joked. The oil was collected and refined back then, but it was Rosa’s stories that filled the room with laughter that day.
We were utterly charmed by Maria, a real-life Italian nonna, as she skillfully braided fresh mozzarella and playfully crafted pizzas — all with warmth, humor, and a twinkle in her eye.
As she moved through the mozzarella-making process, Rosa shared that Maria does this every single day—seven days a week. Just as we eagerly lifted our cameras to capture the moment, Rosa gently asked us to pause. Though Maria speaks very little English, she wanted to say a few words before we began snapping photos. This video captures that heartfelt moment beautifully.
Next came the pizza-making demonstration. With a mischievous smile, Maria carefully selected two men from our group to join her, guiding them through the fine art of crafting pizza. There’s no need for further explanation—these photos tell the story better than words ever could.
After the tour and demonstrations, we were treated to a table full of authentic, homegrown flavors—fresh cold cuts, marinated vegetables, briny olives, and more—all accompanied by local wine. The atmosphere was relaxed, the family genuinely welcoming. It felt less like a tour and more like being a guest at someone’s table—a generous, joyful glimpse into everyday life in this corner of the world.
While we dined, several family members sat nearby, quietly peeling lemons—preparing them to be transformed into the farm’s own limoncello. Each peel was removed with care, making sure to avoid the bitter white pith beneath the skin. After dinner, we were invited to sample the finished product—bright, fragrant, and full of zest, just like the evening itself.
And yes, we even had a chance to shop for some of the farm’s own products, including beautifully bottled olive oil—liquid gold straight from the source.
It feels like the perfect moment to share the limoncello recipe gifted to us by our Travel Director, Antonio. To summarize, the evening was È stato perfetto!
Photo credits: To my daughter Stefanie. Thanks to her for saving all these cherished memories.
Where would you go?
If you could share a meal with a local family anywhere in the world, where would you go—and what would you hope to taste?
*** The Kitchen Table gathering date has been changed to Friday, June 27 *** Stay tuned for details. I’m leaning towards a theme that will have us conversing over travel experiences and bringing a magical memory alive through our creativity!
What a perfect visit! I love it ...and those aprons??? hahaaaa Those 2 guys were good sports. Are you going to make your own mozzarella and/or limoncello?
Looks like the same farm we visited. So much fun!