Making Limoncello

We have spent a cold and frosty afternoon making limoncello.  Just like with the olive picking the scent from the lemons pervades the air and stains our skin!  Our homegrown taste of Italy.

My Airport Gift Upgrade

The Olive Harvest on a Tea Towel

Last week when I was flying back from Ancona I decided to go and browse around the gift shop at the airport. Suddenly I saw a tea towel that made me smile - a map of Italy showing the whole process of the olive harvest - this I thought was meant for me.  I collected together €3.50 in small change - apologising for the growing pile of coins but the lovely lady who served me insisted this was fine.  She took my purchase - carefully folded and wrapped it in a pretty bag and sealed it with a decorative butterfly clip.  Exemplary customer service - I just wish I'd asked her name but to the unknown lady at the Ancona airport gift shop grazie mille.

Present Inspiration Starts Here!

It seems hard to believe that in just over five weeks time it will be Christmas!  If you need a little present inspiration why not visit The Olive Picking Gift Store - from a key ring to an olive grove -  there should be something to suit everyone.

You can start shopping HERE.

Ancient Olive Trees For Sale

These very beautiful and ancient olive trees form part of an olive grove which is currently for sale.  They are in southern Italy, in Puglia and I am trying to resist the temptation to rush straight down there and buy them. If you are equally tempted contact Italian Properties.

Yes The Olives Are Ready

 

Just back from a fortnight spent in Le Marche in Italy.  Everywhere we went there were olives just waiting to be picked.

The Apple and The Vine

Apple trees support vines outside Gualdo in Le Marche

Not olive trees but a fascinating glimpse at some great cultivation.  The old apple trees were growing on a hillside outside Gualdo and up each had been trained a grape vine.

All That Remains





Inside the mill is full of noise and activity as the new oil is being produced.  Outside it's much clamer the only sign of the harvest being the silver leaves falling gently into the trailer.

Pressing the Olives



Pressing oil from the olives the old fashioned way

Thanks to Bob and Ian from Casal Dei Fichi I got the chance to visit their local mill in Mogliano (Corradini Corrado & Co).  Here as well as more modern equipment they still use the old pressing techniques - the stone wheels crush the olives and the paste is then pressed between discs to extract the oil. I came back with fruity, peppery oil pressed from the 'Piantone di Mogliano'.



Everyone is Busy



A little quicker than hand picking but not as peaceful

This week everywhere is alive with the sound of people being busy on their land.  Tractors are driving up and down the fields, olives are being taken from the trees - it is great to be part of this rural way of life if only for a while.