Isn’t that the story of my (Italian) life? See, first course in Italy is the carbs – usually pasta or rice. Second course is usually meat or fish. Since I’m a really strange eater for some inexplicable reason that goes way back to my early childhood vegetarian who doesn’t eat fish, much cheese or dairy, I usually skip second course. My two-year-old started preschool a few months ago, and it would seem that though I’m not raising him vegetarian, he also doesn’t have much use for il secondo piatto either. Every day when I pick him up from preschool, I stop outside the room where the teachers have listed what the kids ate that day. Next to my son’s name, more often than not they write “All first course, no second course” or sometimes he takes “bis” (seconds) on the first course.
And the school lunch menu? To die for. There’s not a sloppy joe or a french fry in sight. The kids eat in courses – antipasto, primo and secondo and everything is cooked fresh in the school kitchen each day by robust older ladies wearing hairnets and wielding rolling pins. No need for a Food Revolution here. I’ll be posting some recipes straight off the menu, like apple-and-cheese risotto and lentil cakes (in Italian called “polpette,” which is basically a meatball but in this case there is no meat), which aren’t just fit for bambini. Viva la pappa!
P.S. I know this post is lacking an image or media of any kind, which is a Web 2.0 no-no, but I’m still working on all of that. Isn’t the header cool, though? It is the handiwork of one of my oldest and dearest friends who happens to be a kick-ass designer. More info on her later!
Yes, love the header graphic. LOVE. And I’d like to come eat at your son’s school, please.
Jessica – I had the chance to eat at the school with my son during the first few days. All fresh and healthy! Lacking in a bit of salt perhaps, but those toddlers have to watch their sodium intake. Jamie Oliver would be in heaven…Thanks for the feedback!
Michelle
Cool header, indeed.
I’ve experienced the same with an asilo in the Veneto region. It’s just different, so completely different from the American experience. I suppose what I like best (besides the freshly prepared local ingredients served in courses) is the fruit that ends each meal — just seems civilized.
Good luck with your new project!
Dana
Dana,
At my son’s school, they don’t serve fruit after lunch (though that is usually the norm) because they have fruit as the mid-morning snack and then yogurt or biscotti and fruit juice when they wake up from naptime. It is very civilized – except for some reason my son has picked up the really bad habit of wiping his mouth on his sleeve, which is something he never did before he went to asilo!
I love the header..look forward to reading more about the artist.
Does your son’s school take reservations? heh
Arlene, I think lunch at the asilo is going to be a no go.
There’s the bidella with her broom who watches over the comings and goings of the adults like a hawk and won’t let you in if she doesn’t know what kid you are related to!
I love the header too.
I plan on sending my daughter for 2 days a week to a 2 hour drop off preschool. There is no lunch there, which is probably a good thing considering what US schools serve for lunch.
P.S. Is Tofu considered a secondo? My daughter doesn’t really like meat either, not that I serve it often in my house, but she loves Tofu
Tofu would be a secondo and ever since my pregnancy, I’ve gotten into tofu (great source of calcium!) and seitan, etc. I was never your “classic vegetarian” per se before, and I had no desire to eat tofu but now I love it! I have some good tofu recipes, which I can share. A lot of times I just incorporate it into another dish, such as a stir fry. But it’s good as a stand-alone too.
Yay, you are back to blogging! I love the header and the theme and look forward to reading more (and maybe learning a recipe or two from you!) I love the way kids are served lunch in Italian schools…to die for sums it up perfectly!
Thanks Jill! Feels good to be “back!”
Please share your tofu recipes! Tofu is a ‘versatile’ food but so far everything I make with it tastes the same. It’s good, but I’d like a change with new recipes.
Fun blog! Getting a real sense of you already! Looking forward to following your adventures living your life in Italia. I always thought of “pappa” as more akin to the Gerber mushed up baby food that comes in a jar the sell in the states. Should have realized that that Italian baby food would be a little more appetizing and palatable!
A presto!
Hi Melissa! Thanks for stopping by. “Pappa” probably literally does refer to baby food, but I hear it used all the time even when children are not present. I have a friend who always says “Mangiamo la pappa!” as a way of saying “Let’s eat.” I don’t know that Italian baby food is any more appetizing. At the end of the day, jarred food is jarred food. Plus they put a lot of emphasis on meat here during weaning (like horse and rabbit!) so I decided to make my own and introduce more fruits and veggies to start with.