Alessandra wrote:

The bread in Naples, very good!!

Forget the peanut butter and Nutella - I'll take a slice of this Napoli bread with some butter!

Ahh figs. I havent had a decent fig since my father in law died in 1976.

Odd story. He had 2 huge fig trees. One red, one white. I never saw such big fig trees. He would get so many figs, that hubby brought them home daily..bagsful.

Every year, my father in law dug a "grave" for the trees, rather than cover them. He would dig a trench, bend the trees over and bury them..and dig them up in the spring.

He died in February. That spring, my hubby took over (both were landscapers at the time). He went to unbury the trees..they were both dead.

We cant grow fig trees where I live and I am an hour north of the city. They grow..but the fruit doesnt mature..we dont have enough hot days..like the city where I used to live..which bordered the bronx. Just a little ways..makes a big difference in the weather.

I miss those figs. I havent had a decent fig since then. Supermarket figs dont cut it.

Fig trees are amazingly pliable, therefore you could technically bury them to survive the winter. I prefer to cover them in the winter with old blankets, clothes, and plastic sheets. The idea is not only to keep them warm, but also relatively dry, since a wet tree could become moldy.

Geography is also a big factor, I live in Jersey about 20 minutes outside NYC so we can grow them here. An hour north into New York State and it may be too cold, an hour south into south jersey and you'll find some giant fig trees. Also, some fig tree are just sterile and therefore produce no fruit. All the fig trees in the US are propogated trees, meaning they do not produce via seed since the species of wasp that pollinates the tree does not exist in this area. so.... in order to get a baby tree, you need to cut a second year branch and set it to root. Sometimes, you just get a bad one that won't produce fruit. I'm sure there is more to it, but this is the info passed onto me.

In New Jersey, a house with fig trees in the back or oleander plants in the front usually means an italian is living inside


(sorry to preach about fig trees in a thread that started out about peanut butter!!)

Figs are good. I never had figs right off the tree before. I like your picture Mauro. Is it your grandfather?

Mauro..don't be sorry. We are the worst group for staying on topic. How about if we say figs and peanut butter work/don't work together..then I guess its still on topic!

I think when I visit NY I'm going to drop by your place and cut a branch to see if it works. I swear I've always wanted a fig tree..I had a beautiful peach tree but the peaches got too heavy one year and it fell over. Missed my houses by inches (which was too bad since I really could have used a new roof..but that's another story.)..

Time for bed..need to be at work by 1 am and I'm still up!

Sure thing Nuccia... I have both white and red figs. I prefer the white, cause they have a honey flavor. Why do you go to work so late? 1AM!

Actually Cathy, its my maternal great-great grandfather

Quote::

Why do you go to work so late? 1AM!

I'm covering off someone's vacation so I have to work again tonight overnight. If I go in early this morning then I'll be home early enough to relax until I go back tonight at 10:30.

Of course, I'm already late....

Before we moved here, almost 30 years ago, we were at the house of the real estate agent who sold us our house. He had a fig tree. He had it in a huge bucket and he took it inside in the winter. I dont know if he got fruit or how much..but, I think that was my first clue that a figtree planted here..wouldnt work.

Its such a shame..we would see the tiny little figs, just before the weather would change.

Biff83 wrote:

Carole wrote: As you mentioned that you were looking to gradually improve your command of Italian -I hope this little tip will help.... Hope you don't mind me saying.... Carole, Should I have used marmelatta instead of gelatina? Biff

'marmellata' is jelly (US) or jam (English)

But for the English - 'jam' is for any general fruit BUT we also have MARMALADE which is specifically used for citrus fruit coneserve(jam).

I know....we're just naturally 'picky' about how we refer to things (LOL) but this 'pickiness' does avoid misunderstandings!!!

I like peanut butter and jelly, I don't like pancakes (I usually eat everything, this one I really don't like), neither fried bacon and I love NUTELLA


ciao from Riccardo

Cathy wrote:

Alessandra wrote: The bread in Naples, very good!! Forget the peanut butter and Nutella - I'll take a slice of this Napoli bread with some butter!

This is the Pane of my home land, I love it, it is the best in the world (for me)



ciao Riccardo

You dont like bacon, Ric?

I worked in pharmacy once as assistant to the pharmacist..who was an orthodox Jew. They dont eat pork. This man went out to eat, alot and said of all the things they arent allowed to eat, he would love to eat bacon. He said, he loves how it smells, but he never tasted it.

I am glad I dont have to be restricted from bacon..I love it. My daughter is a vegetarian. She recently (past couple of years) began to eat turkey and chicken (only if you cook it to death), because her doctor told her she needed the protein, when she was pregnant. She also doesnt care for bacon.

I don't like Bacon either, it's the smoked flavor mostly, and sooo salty.
My kids tell me I am weird (maybe I am a little lol).

I think I'm a little stranger! I love bacon on things - salads, sandwiches in omlettes, but I will not eat just bacon by itself.

ricbru wrote:

Cathy wrote: Alessandra wrote: The bread in Naples, very good!! Forget the peanut butter and Nutella - I'll take a slice of this Napoli bread with some butter! This is the Pane of my home land, I love it, it is the best in the world (for me) ciao Riccardo

Questo