Everything (Gluten-Free) Tastes Better in Italy

Eliana Facendo L'insalata, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

Gluten-free or not, everything just seems to taste better in Italy. I’m sure part of it has to do with being on vacation. But the love and attention paid to food in this country clearly shows. My first trip to Italy was for a study abroad program in 1998. It was during that summer that I met Eliana, a bright, beautiful girl with an indomitable spirit. Little did I realize at the time that we would become dear friends, spending subsequent summers and trips together in Rome, Sicily, Pescara, Terni and even New York.

After leaving Lucca, I took the bus to Firenze (Florence) where Eliana greeted me with a huge hug and Italian kisses. She was kind enough to open her home to me for four days of my vacation.

My first night there I didn’t want to trouble her too much over gluten-free dinner options. I explained that I ate a huge lunch and that I would be fine nibbling on a few things I had brought with me. She looked at me and scolded – “Ma Cate, in Italia si mangia!” “But, Catherine, in Italy you eat!” To Eliana it was no trouble to make something safe for my tummy. She proceeded to put together a salad so full of flavor with such simple ingredients I could hardly believe it. Olives, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, chickpeas and lettuce dressed with olive oil and salt. I tried recreating it at home last week, but it just wasn’t the same.

Later in the week she made a frittata with sautéed zucchini.

Prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano were plentiful.

Jars of spices and olive oil fill the kitchen that I have had the pleasure of dining in more times than I can count.

Gluten-free travel is simply delicious when you are lucky enough to have friends like Eli.

Next stop: my adventures in Gluten-Free Gelato

APPRECIATING AVOCADOS

I grew up in Southern California. I had access to gorgeous Haas avocadoes; there were family members with avocado trees. There was always Mexican food accented with tender and sweet avocados and perfectly seasoned guacamole. I never ate them. I thought I didn't like avocados. I kick myself now for the years of enjoyment I missed.

Many foods have been eliminated from my diet as a result of Celiac, but I have also discovered and enjoy so many new flavors that I probably come out ahead. Of course I would be glad to have the convenience of eating in a restaurant or at a friend’s house without worry. But I have always enjoyed cooking and food experimentation and my Celiac diagnosis has actually facilitated it. I don’t feel guilty buying a new type of gourmet cheese or a buttery piece of Chilean Sea Bass.

Avocadoes are just one example of a food I hadn’t fully explored until recently. Now I can’t imagine life without the Chicken soup accented with avocados at RICE, or the fig and avocado salsa I learned to make in one of my cooking classes. Below is the makings of the salad that I ate almost on a daily basis this summer:

Mixed Green Salad (serves 2)
Mesclun greens
1 medium diced tomato
1 medium cucumber sliced
½ ripe Haas avocado diced
¼ cup chopped raw walnuts
¼ cup crumbled low fat goat cheese
Chopped cilantro to taste (I like a lot of cilantro)
Season with salt and coarse ground black pepper to taste
Serve with a balsamic vinaigrette

Play with the portions and ingredients. If you hate cilantro (people tend to feel strongly about this herb) try it with basil or cut it out altogether. The key is finding a few ingredients that you can easily throw together and that you love eating. It's such a waste to buy ingredients and then have them spoil in the fridge.