Italian Christmas Feast 7 Fish

ARE YOU MAKING IT THIS YEAR ?

La VIGILIA

The NEW YORK ITALIAN

FEAST of The 7 FISH

Amazon.com

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is part of the Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration, although it is not called that in Italy and is not a “feast” in the sense of “holiday,” but rather a grand meal. The name The Feast of The  Seven Fishes came about in American by Italian-Americans, not in Italy, were although Southern Italians celebrate a Christmas Meal of Fish, in Italy, it is called : La Cena della Vigilia (Eve Dinner), Il Cenone (The Big Dinner),  La Vigilia di Natale (Christmas Eve), or simply La Vigilia (The Vigil).

While the tradition comes from Southern Italy, many from the region have never heard of the Feast of Seven Fishes. Italians call it by another name, La Vigilia (The Vigil), as it takes place on Christmas Eve, or the Vigilia di Natale. The practice of eating fish on Christmas Eve stems from a traditional Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on the eve of a feast day.

It is also unclear when the number seven was landed on. In the Italian tradition they don’t count how many fishes are used, or how many dishes they create. Even in America it is not unusual to see the spread feature up to 13 varieties fish and shell fish.

While some sources suggest restaurants developed the tradition of Seven Fishes, it is fitting for the occasion, as the number 7 is an important to Catholicism, signifying totality of perfection and completeness. Seven is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible and it is seen in the number of the days of the week, the Sacraments, and many of the signs in the Book of Revelation: seven churches, seven bowls, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders and seven spirits.

RECIPE COOKBOOK

"The FEAST of The 7 FISH"

Italian Christmas

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Big Lebowski Christmas Gift This Year

 

HAVE a BIG LEBOWSKI CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR !

DUDE

White Russian RECIPE and More ...

"DUDE ABIDES" !

GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

aka The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

The COLLECTED RECIPES of The DUDE

Amazon.com

Here it is Ladies and Gents, Achievers, even Nihilists . The Collected Recipes of The Dude. Yes The Dude cooks! He has to. He's Unemployed and needs to stretch those checks as much as humanly and Duderly possible. Dude needs money for all his necessities, like; Kahlua, Bowling Fees, Gas for The Dudemobile, food, w_ _d, and what-not. So in order to stretch his limited funds, the Dude cooks most of his meals at home. Can't go to In-N-Out or order take-out and what not. Gotta Feed The Monkey and eating out or ordering in would eat through the Dudes budget in no time flat. Dude has collected a lifetime of wonderful recipes, like, Dudes Cowboy Chili, Gooey Chop Meat, Da Fino's Meatballs, and more. Dude will teach you how to make a tasty Taco, Burritos, Ramen, Tuna-Fish Sandwich or whatever you little Achiever Heart desires. Being The Dude, all these recipes are Easy, Economical, and of course Tasty as Can Be! The Dude wouldn't have it any other way. GOT ANY KAHLUA - The Collected Recipes of The Dude, a.k.a. The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK is sure to please and "A Must Have" for any and all you Achievers out there. It's filled with Quips & Quotes, instructions on How to Make The Dudes Perfect White Russians (Caucasians) and other Awesome Cocktails like; Bunny Lebowski's Porn-O Punch, and Maude's Recipe for a "Zesty" Other tasty reciopes include; Dudes Perfect Steak, Guacomole alla Duderino, Dudes Buffalo Chicken Wings, Bozos Clam Chowder, Chocolate Kahlua Twinkies and much more. "Dam," you just gotta Abide with Donny Walter, Maude, and all the rest in Got Any Kahlua The COLLECTED RECIPES of THE DUDE ....

"Have yourself a Very DUDERINO CHRISTMAS"

GOT ANY KAHLUA ? is Available on AMAZON

ABIDE in IT !

"Aaahhhh"






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10 Best Cookbooks for Christmas

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The JOY of COOKING

"If You Could Only Have One Cookbook?"

THIS WOULD BE IT

Why it's a classic: It's THE all-purpose cookbook for everything from boiling eggs to making chocolate cake. If you're looking for a specific recipe, chances are it's in this book.

It’s an encyclopedia, in an age where we rely on Google for such things. But when I was writing a Bon Appétit article on a specific ingredient lately, the entry in the Joy of Cooking glossary had more than anything I found online, with cited sources. I’m not kidding! The recipes have expanded, so there’s not as much squirrel, but there are Korean short ribs and chickpea pancakes and Japanese okonomiyaki. If there’s a newer cook in your life who doesn’t already have an earlier edition, now’s the time to induct them into the Joy of Cooking cult.

AMAZON.com

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Mastering The Art of French Cooking

Julia Child

And Simone Beck

"ONE of THE GREAT COOKBOOKS of ALL-TIME"

IT'S The DEFINING BOOK of FRENCH CUISINE For AMERICANS"

GET THIS GREAT CLASSIC COOKBOOK at AMAZON.com

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ESSENTIALS of CLASSIC ITALIAN COOKING

Marcella Hazan

"It's Considered by Most, to Be The Encyclopedia of Italian Cooking"

And if you Could Only have One Italian Cookbook ? This Would Be It

Available on AMAZON.com

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SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italian-Americans Cook

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

As We Said Marcella Hazan's Italian Cookbook 

would Be The One Italian Cookbook

to Get if You Could Only Have One?

THIS WOULD BE The 2nd ITALIAN COOKBOOK YOU SHOULD GET

If you want to cook like an Italian-American, and who wouldn't,

you Want SUNDAY SAUCE

in Your COOKBOOK LIBRARY

Sunday Sauce by Daniel Bellino "Z" is the defining cookbook on the subject of Sunday Sauce, also know as Gravy by some. This book is filled with wonderful stories of Italian-America, the peoples and the food they love to eat. All of Italian-America's favorite dishes are in this book, with recipes that are easy to understand and follow.

Some recipes include; Tomato Sauce, Marinara Sauce, Frittata, Stuffed Artichokes, Braciole, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and of course the namesake of the book Sunday Sauce, which the author is quite passionate about, and states that it is thee "Most Supreme Dish," of the Italian American Table. It's eaten every Sunday by millions of Italian-Americans all over America.

Recipes also for: Mussels Marinara, Riagtoni al Forno, Veal Parm, Shrimp Scampi, Rao's Lemon Chicken, and Uncle Tony's Veal Marsala.

Frank Sinatra's Chicken Vesuvio, Mommy's Stuffed Peppers, Pasta Amatriciana, Italian Cheesecake and Much More.

GET IT at AMAZON.com

BEING TONY BOURDAIN

The Lastest Book on ANTHONY BOURDAIN

FOODIE TRAVEL JOURNAL

With ANTHONY'S Most Famous QUOTES

AMAZON.com

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The REAL DOWNTON ABBEY 

CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK  

Amazon.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

From  AMAZON

Amazon

Since its 1990 publication, Rose's Christmas Cookies has been a phenomenal success. Who can resist Chocolate-Dipped Melting Moments Cookies or moist Mini-Cheesecakes with Lemon Curd . . . or David Shamah's Jumbles, a fabulous cross between a chocolate-chip cookie and a chunky candy bar bursting with raisins, chocolate chips, and pecans. Whether you need a cookie to decorate your tree or grace your mantelpiece (cookies like Stained Glass or Christmas Wreaths), a sweet to send (Mahogany Butter Crunch Toffee, Maple Macadamia Bars), or a special holiday treat for your dinner party (Praline Truffle Cups, Chocolate-Pistachio Marzipan Spirals), you'll find that perfect something here. Complete with 60 cookie recipes and a color photograph of each cookie for handy reference, this easy-to-use and fun-to-read book will result in scrumptious, festive, and splendid-looking cookies every time.

 

GETS IT on Amazon

AMAZON.com

It's the 1.8-million-copy bestselling cookbook that's become a modern-day classic. Beginning cooks will learn how to boil an egg. Experienced cooks will discover new ingredients and inspired approaches to familiar ones. Encyclopedic in scope, rich with recipes and techniques, and just plain fascinating to read, The New Basics Cookbook is the indispensable kitchen reference for all home cooks. This is a basic cookbook that reflects today's kitchen, today's pantry, today's taste expectations. A whimsically illustrated 875-recipe labor of love, The New Basics features a light, fresh, vibrantly flavored style of American cooking that incorporates the best of new ingredients and cuisines from around the world. Over 30 chapters include Fresh Beginnings; Pasta, Pizza, and Risotto; Soups; Salads; every kind of Vegetable; Seafood; The Chicken and the Egg; Grilling from Ribs to Surprise Paella; Grains; Beef; Lamb, Pork; Game; The Cheese Course, and Not Your Mother's Meatloaf. Not to mention 150 Desserts! Plus, tips, lore, menu ideas, at-a-glance charts, trade secrets, The Wine Dictionary, a Glossary of Cooking Terms, The Panic-Proof Kitchen, and much more.

Get it on Amazon

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ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

The FEAST of THE 7 FISH

RECIPES

YOU CAN GET IT on AMAZON.com

"BUON NATALE"

MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL !

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GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

The COLLECTED RECIPES of The DUDE

aka The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

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We all just love the greatest Cult Movie of all-time, The Big Lebowski, and just had to include it in our list. And since we're talking about cookbooks, there's only one possibility, and that's Got Any Kahlua ? aka The Big Lebowski Cookbook. The book, has been ingeniously written by Daniel Zwicke, who has filled the book with satirical humor with great recipes pertaining to The Dude and all the cast of characters from the movie. There's a recipe for Maude's Meatloaf, Walter Jewish Penicillin (Chicken Soup) Dude's Cowboy Chili, the perfect White Russian Cocktail, and more. 

We just Love this book and it's many tasty recipes that we're sure all Achievers (Fans of The Dude) will Abide by. The recipes are geared to be easy to make, they are economical (Dudes Unemployed), and of course tasty as can be.

So if your one of those Millions of Fans of The Dude and his movie, The Big Lebowski, or you no someone who is, Got Any Kahlua, The Big Lebowski Cookbook is a book for you.

Abide in it. 

Available on Amazon.com

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Merry Christmas

And Happy Holidays

From All of Us

To All of You

Peace on Earth

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Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Vegetables

COOK The PERFECT ROAST TURKEY THIS YEAR

The BADASS COOKBOOK

So you want to cook like a Badass? Well not really a Badass, it's the recipes that are Badass. And in this case Badass is good, awesomely good. As Good as it gets. We've compiled all of America's Favorite Foods and Best Dishes, with things like; Badass BBQ Sauce & Ribs, The Best Potato Salad Ever, You'll Learn How to Cook The Perfect Steak, make Breakfast, Badass Fried Chicken and Much More. The Badass Cookbook is one of the greatest collections of Awesomely Badass Tasty as Can be Recipes ever assembled. The Thug Kitchen Cookbook ain't got nothing on us. Dam they're vegetarian? Which is fine, but if you really want to Cook Badass Food, that can Kick Any Thug Ass anywhere, then you're gonna want to get your self a copy of The Badass Cookbook. It's badder than Bad (which is Good) and the recipes within will Kick Thug Ass any day of the week. The Recipes are Badass Awesome, so you don't have to be a Badass to Cook them, the recipes already are Badass as Badass can be. Some of the recipes you'll find inside the badass Cookbook are; The World's Best Potato Salad, KFC Knock-Off Secret Fried Chicken Recipe, New England Clam Bake, Cowboy Chili, The Bomber, The Badass Lobster Roll, Old Fashion Chicken Soup, Badass Porchetta, The Perfect Burger, Burritos, Tacos,Classic Beef Stew, How to Make a McRib, Badass Goulash, How to Cook The Perfect Steak, and much more ... It's all in there and it's Awesome as Awesome can be, It's The Badass Cookbook and everyone has one ...

GREAT THANKSGIVING RECIPES

And MORE ...

The BADASS COOKBOOK

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FREE RECIPE

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Created by Campbell’s Soup employee Dorcas Reilly

RECIPE :

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup or Campbell’s® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 dash black pepper

4 cups cooked cut green beans

1 1/3 cups French’s® French Fried Onions

Preparation :

Step 1

Stir the soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans and 2/3 cuponions in a 1 1/2-quart casserole.

Step 2

Bake at 350°F. for 25 minutes or until the bean mixture is hot and bubbling.  Stir the bean mixture.  Sprinkle with the remaining onions.

Step 3

Bake for 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.

Recipe Tips

For the cooked green beans: Use 1 bag (16 to 20 ounces) frozen green beans, thawed, 2 packages (9 ounces each) frozen green beans, thawed, 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) green beans, drained or about 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans for this recipe.

To Make BROCCOLI CASSEROLE … Substitue 4 cups fresh Cooked BROCCOLI for the Green Beans…

Best Selling Italian Pasta Cookbooks

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke is still one of the Hottest Best Selling Authors of Italian Cookbooks.

Currently, 4 of Daniel's Italian-Cookbooks are in the TOP 25 BEST SELLERS - PASTA on AMAZON #KINDLE

SUNDAY SAUCE  # 17 BEST SELLER PASTA   AMAZON.com

SEGRETO ITALIAN   # 22 BEST SELLER PASTA   AMAZON.com

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK  # 24 BEST SELLER PASTA  AMAZON.com

MANGIA ITALIAN  # 25  BEST SELLER PASTA   #AMAZON .com

BOOKS by BEST SELLING ITALIAN AMERICAN COOKBOOK AUTHOR

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

SUNDAY SAUCE has been a BEST SELLER in ITALIAN COOKBOOKS and PAST COOKBOOKS ever since it hit the shelves bacck in 2013. The book was The # 1 BEST SELLER - ITALIAN COOKBOOKS for the Most Amount of Time for the two years of 2013 - 2104 , beating out such notable Italian Cookbook Authors as Lidia Bastianch , Giada DeLaurentis, Marcella Hazan, and Mario Batali.

The main theme of Sunday Sauce is center around the greatest dish in all of Italian-Amaerica. The dish has been a Sunday ritual of millions of Italian immigrant families in America for more than 100 years. There are various versions of the dish that is made with a few different meats slowly simmering in a sauce of tomatoes seasoned with garlic and onions and the meats themselves which may include Sweet Italian Sausages, Meatballs, Braciole, Pork Neck, and Pork Spare Ribs of which Daniel loves to put in his.

There are recipes for Sunday Sauce aka Gravy from the movies Goodfellas and Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo 's Godfather, where we see director Martin Scorsese 's father Charles Scorsese making Gravy (Sauce) in Prison with Ray Liotta, Frank Pelligrino Senior, and Mob Boss "Big Paulie Vario" played by Paul Sorvino.

On to The Godfather where we have the famous scene with Clemenza (Richard Castellano) showing Michael Corleone ( Al Pacino ) how to make Sauce (Gravy) for 20 Guys someday. Corleone Capo Pete Clemenza tells Michael you fry some onions and garlic in Olive Oil, put in Tomatoes, salt & pepper, a little wine, "you shove in your Meatballs and your Sausage. And that's my trick."

Sonny Corleone (James Caan) tells Clemenza, "Knock it Off. I got important things to do here." The scene is part of Italian-American and movie folklore and people just love it. The reccipes are in Sunday Sauce, along with Dolly Sinatra 's Spaghetti & Meatballs, and Joe DiMaggio 's mothers Sunday Gravy as well.

Sunday Sauce is filled with wonderful stories of Italian-America, the ritual of the Sunday Gravy, of Pasta Nights, Meatball Parms, and most of all, friends and families sharing a meal together at the table, with good times, love and happiness. And in this day and age of families not talking to each other and getting together at the dinner table because the children can't get off their phones or stop playing video games for hours on end, the message of Sunday Sauce bring people together for nice Italian meal at the table, the message is more important than ever, and Daniel teaches and inspires just how to do it yourself. To have a happy meaningful meal at the table with ones loved ones, its so simple and wonderful to do. Daniel will show you how. It's all in Sunday Sauce - When Italian-Americans Cook a Best Selling Italian Cookbook by New York Italian-American Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke.

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

As Daniel States in his book description, for years he kept his Famous Recipe for Ragu Bolognese a Secret. He has loved cooking Italian Food for many years, and is often asked what is his favorite thing to cook? The answer Meat Ragu and especially Bolognese Sauce aka Ragu Bolognese, of which The Journal of Italian Food Wine & Travel once wrote that Daniel's was the Best in the country, and some say the World. Daniel says he especially loves to make his Bolognese Sauce because it is just so dam tasty, it's economical, and it brings people together, the same as Daniel's message in Sunday Sauce and all his wonderful Italian Cookbooks, is making wonderful Italian Food and bringing people together, sharing a meal at the table. Enjoying the food and Italian Wine, each others company, conversation, music by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and good times that enrich your lives. Daniel does it quite well, and the Ragu Bolognese Cookbook is a Winner. And oh yes, we almost forgot. As Daniel states in the cookbook, he thought long and hard about publishing his famous recipe for Ragu Bolognese, but he did. He says, that if he charged the price of the book for the Bolognese Sauce Recipe  alone it would be a steal and more than worth it. But he didn't although he could have as there are many avenues these days to do so, simply selling one great recipe on its own. But know Daniel didn't do that. No he gives you his World Famous Recipe for Ragu Bolognese, and he gives you much more. 

Besides Daniel's Secret Bolognese Sauce there are recipes for John's Secret Chicken Cactiatore, Lasagna Bolognese, Spaghetti Meatballs, Marinara Sauce, and much more. Again, this book is a winner, and we just love it, especially Danny's Bolognese.

SEGRETO ITALIANO 

We Love it too. Lots of Great Recipes and Stories from Daniel Bellino "Z"

MANGIA ITALIANO

MANGIA ITALIANO ! You Know What It Means? Yes! "EAT ITALIAN" !!! Everyone LOVES ITALIAN FOOD ! Right? Well Take This "MAGICAL JOURNEY" A Journey To The World of ITALIAN FOOD of "Mother Italy" and The ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. Take it with BEST SELLING Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke and his DELIGHTFUL STORIES of ITALIAN FOOD, of ITALY, and the Italian-American Culture in all its most Wonderful Glory, "THAT'S ITALIAN" MEMORIES in ITALIAN FOOD, RECIPES and more ... "COME TAKE THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY With US" Mangia Italiano, Memories of Italian Food is a decades long journey of Best Selling Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino "Z" and his lifelong experiences and love of Italian Food from the beginning of being weaned on Pastina, the first Pasta in a long life of eating Maccheroni (Pasta) as the staple food of his Italian-American family’s diet. Moving on to Spaghetti & Meatballs, Daniel's First Experience in eating White Truffles with Pasta, to dining out in local Italian Restaurants over the years, along with taking numerous cultural and culinary journeys to the Mother Country, Italy. The author traveled to: Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Napoli, The Amalfi Coast, Verona, Sicily, and the whole of the Italian peninsula and its many lovely islands. He ate, he learned, he lived the Italian Life in all its many splendors. In Mangia Italiano the author recalls all his many experiences with Italian Food over the yeas, both in New York and Italy. Mangia Italiano is filled with Daniel’s delightful stories of a his remarkable journey into all of Italy's cherished Regional Cuisines, counting a multitude of ingredients turned into a variety of savory recipes. Among the mouthwatering dishes, are recipes for such items as: Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes, Mudica Steaks, Venetian Braised Duck, Italian Wedding Soup, Ragu Napoletana (Gravy), Umberto's Shrimp Sauce for Pasta, Nonna Bellino's Tomato Sauce, Pasta Rotta, Spaghetti Carbonara, Porchetta, Frank Sinatra's Egg Sandwich, Amalfitana Lemon Cake, and more. Mangia Italiano will "Inspire" you to your similar Italian Experiences as well and is a book that’s sure to bring you much JOY all through the years. Read the stories, cook these fine dishes and enjoy a splendid life, Italian Style! Author’s Bio: DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE is the Best Selling Author of: La Tavola, The Ragu Bolognese Cookbook, Grandma Bellino's Cookbook, The Feast of The Seven Fish / ITALIAN CHRISTMAS, and SUNDAY SAUCE .. Daniel created BAR CICHETTI, America's First Ever Venetian Wine Bar (Bacaro)., he lives and writes in New York's Greenwich Village.

BEST SELLING BOOKS : SUNDAY SAUCE THE RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK GRANDMA BELLINO'S ITALIAN COOKBOOK The FEAST of The 7 FISH "ITALIAN CHRISTMAS" GOT ANY KAHLUA ? aka The Big Lebowski Cookbook MANGIA BENE TUTTI !!! 

BASTA !!!

MANGIA ITALIANO

GET IT !

POSITANO

COMING SOON !

TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK

Of  NAPLES POSITANO CAPRI

And The AMALFI COAST ITALY

Publication Release June 2019

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Utmate Travel Guide POSITANO Amalfi Coast

POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST

It's your Dream Vacation? You're dying to go to what has been called "The Most Beautiful Place in The World," and rightfully so. The Island of Capri, Sorrento, Naples, and especially Positano and The Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy is without question and area of dazzling natural beauty, that is beyond compare, from the Jewel of The Coast, the town of Positano which springs from the Sea to soaring heights of the Latteri Mountains, the affect is dramatically spectacular in this enchanting town with homes and hotels stacked one-atop-the-other as they climb the hills and cliffs of Positano, a place that is on or near the top of just about everyone who has discerning, impeccable taste, and a Zest for Life, the sweet life of La Dolce Vita, is there in Positano and everywhere you go on the Amalfi Coast. Anthony Roma, a seasoned traveler who has been going to Positano, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast of Italy for more than 30 years, will lead the way, with tips that are sure to ensure that your Dream Vacation is the Best it can possibly be. He knows all the best restaurants, Pizzerias, Salumerias, and the tastiest things on the coast, in Naples or the Islands of Ishcia and Capri. Anthony knows all the best hotels in every price range, how to get there, and what to do when you are there among the Lemon Groves and Jasmine filled towns of the Devine Coast of Amalfi. Through his knowledge and tips, Anthony will help you avoid mistakes that are often inevitable in travel.

POSITANO - Ultimate Travel Guide

Get Your Copy

AMAZON KINDLE

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Excerpt from New Book on POSITANO The Amalfi Coast

     

POSITANO

The seaside town of Positano consists of craggy cliffs that pop up out of the Tyrrhenian Sea. There are Pastel Colored homes that are stacked one atop the other as they climb the mountainside clinging to it as they go upward from the Sea. The sheer cliffs of Positano ascend almost straight up to quite high heights into the quaint hamlets of Montepertuso and Nocella. The towns flora consist of Lemon and Olive Trees with numerous gardens that sprout such vegetation as; Pomodoro, Oranges, Peaches, Whisteria, Cucuzza, Eggplants, Basilico, Zucchini, Rosemarino, Sage, Wild Oregano, and Daisy’s and a multitude of wild-flowers, and fruits and vegetables of the region. Jasmine Trees line the streets and Bougainvillea can be seen everywhere. Whether the Flora is edible or not, it’s there to see and smell, and boy are these aromas oh so wonderful to smell. The aroma of Jasmine is just one example.     Positano burst from the Sea, forming a town so stunning, all the world just must see. People will travel 5,000 miles and more, to see it, to be there. That’s the affect this place has on you. The Amalfi Drive has an endless array of world class views around each-and-every hair-raising turn. Everything about this part of the World is amongst the world’s most beautiful. It’s breathtaking.      

The beauty of Positano is unmatched, and as I once said when having breakfast with a lovely young lady on the terrace of The Casa Albertina, “this is like being on Heaven on Earth. It’s Paradise.” And this is pretty much how most people feel when they are there, whether in the seaside town of Positano, or pretty much any place on the Coast of Amalfi, as well as on The Isle of Capri, in Sorrento or Ravello, and even the capital city of Naples.    I was 23 when I first visited Positano and the Devine Coast, and that first trip I shall never forget, from that first approach sitting aboard the Blue Cita Bus as it wound its way from Meta on to Positano, that whole ride on that bus, each and every turn opened a new and most spectacular view filled with sights that I shall never forget. Those remarkable views from the road high above the sea were breathtaking, and so completely beautiful, I was absolutely flabbergasted by the sights spread out before, as the Blue Bus made its way. It may sound cliché, but one must really go to Positano, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast for themselves to be able to truly appreciate the full breath of this unmatched beauty at this place, known as The Devine Coast.     Whether looking in magazines, in a guidebook, or on the internet, you’ll find thousands of beautiful pictures of each and every corner of this coast, but of course, there is nothing quite like being there and seeing it for yourself. Positano captivates, and once there, you my friends will be hooked for the rest of your lives. The thing that first led me to Positano was that my boss Nick and his wife Valtentina spoke of this area as if it was the greatest most beautiful place they had ever seen. “And it was,” and is. Well I tell you this is how their stories of Positano made me feel, so “I just had to go.” And when I did go, I must say, that was exactly how I felt, “like this was the most beautiful place on Gods good Earth.” The Amalfi Coast is one of those Bucket List places that you absolutely have to see. An at this point in time, at the dawn of the 21st Century, Positano and The Amalfi Coast now holds almost equal importance as such famed destinations as; Rome, Paris, Venice, the Grand Canyon, “Positano and the Amalfi Coast are “not to be missed.”     One night when I was walking home from work at John’s Italian Restaurant, I ran into some friends. It was just one week before my first European trip to Italy, France, and Spain. I ran into my friend Alma who was with her friend, the poet Rene Ricard. I said “Hello,” and Alma introduced me to Rene, and the three of us were chatting on 2nd Avenue when I happened to mention that I was going to Italy. Rene asked me, “where in Italy?” I told Rene I was going to Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Venice, and Positano. Rene got quite excited and wanted to tell me all the good places to go to. He told me I should stay at the Hotel Locarno in Rome near the Piazza di Popolo and that I had to visit the twin churches of Santa Maria Montesanto and Santa Maria Mircoli, and that I had to go for a Campari at Rosati’s across the piazza from the churches. Rene recommended a hotel in Venice that I can’t remember the name of, and he said that I had to have a Bellini at Harry’s Bar and a Cappuccino at Florian’s in the Piazza San Marco, which of course I did, for as with Positano, Paris, and Rome, everyone should see these places at least once. Rene told me that I should stay at the nice little hotel Villa Maria Antonietta in Positano where Rene had stayed with his mother the previous Summer. He wrote me a note to give to la Signora Carmen stating that I was a friend of his and for them to take good care of me. Rene told me that I should have my espresso and my early evening Apertivo (a Negroni) at Bar DeMartino, and that I just had to have the Spaghetti Vongole at Da Vincenzo’s which he said, was “the World’s best.”     So, with all of my friends suggestions and advice, and my new copy of Frommer’s Europe on $40 a day, my American Express Travelers Checks, and my two bags of luggage, I was on my way to Italy, with Spain, and the French Riviera in-between. On Saturday June 15th, 1985, I made my way to JFK International Airport to catch my Pan Am Flight to Fiumicino Airport in Rome. I was quite excited and lucky to sit next to a nice couple who were also going to Rome for the first time. We chit-chatted on the plane and made plans to all have dinner together on our first night in Rome.      After getting our bags and going through the Passport Control area, we went outside to get transportation into the center of Rome. We were leaving the airport (early in the morning) when a Gypsy Cab Driver approached us and asked if we needed a taxi into Rome. We did, so we hopped in and he drove us into Rome. We realized later that he had over-charged us and ripped us off a bit, but since we split the fare and it wasn’t that much to begin with, that it wasn’t so bad. I had the cabby drop me off at the train station where I checked my luggage, so I could go out and look for a hotel room. Things were much different for traveling back then (No Internet). I had my list of pensiones I made from looking through my guide book. I checked my bags and went out in search of a room, which I found near the Stazione for just about $15 (28,000 Lire) a night.  

   That day when I made my first foray into the Eternal City, I went absolutely nuts for this glorious city of Ancient Rome, the Empire, the Colosseum, and everything that followed. The things that followed, were; Felini, The Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiori, Bucatini Carbonara, Amatriciana, Trastevere, and everything Roman! I stayed in Rome for 5 days and fully adored it. After Rome, it was off to see my High School friend JoAnna in Florence for a few days.      While in Florence, staying with my friend JoAnn and her husband Leo, they took me to Fiesole, San Miniato, and one Sunday to the glorious town of San Gimgiano where we ate Wild Boar Salami and drank Vernaccia Wine. JoAnn and Leo bought some Olive Oil for their house as well as a supply of wine. Our day in San Gimignano was capped off by seeing the most spectacular Rainbow I’ve ever seen in entire my life. As we drove away from San Gimignano  and were surrounded by Olive Trees and grapevines, that big beautiful Rainbow spread its arch across the Tuscan Sky next to the medieval town of San Gimignano. That Rainbow in Tuscany was a most wonderful sight, and a thing I have never forgotten, these 33 years later. I will always remember it, a day in Tuscany with an old high school friend.     After six great days in Tuscany, I boarded another train, this time on my way to Barcelona to meet up with my friends Efram and Cristina. I had a most wonderful time in Barcelona, eating Tapas, drinking Spanish Wine, seeing the Sagrada Familia, and swimming in Mediterranean on the Costa Brava before eating the tastiest grilled Shrimp ever, as I sipped Sangria, as the romantic music of Julio Inglesias played on the stereo. I sat in bliss on the terrace behind the little beachside restaurant in Blanes, Spain, and it was all so marvelous. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I was with my friend Lisa Lipitski who I just happened to run into on the Ramblas in Barcelona one day, strictly and without plan, “Out of The Blue.” Crazy!     Well a few days in Spain and I was off to The French Riviera, Nice, and Monaco. It’s needless to say that, “I just loved it,” over there. I rented a scooter one day and drove along the Grand Corniche from Nice to Monaco. I was in absolute 7th Heaven as I had a nice little Romantic Tryst with a beautiful young French girl I met in Nice. I had the time of my life, so as they say, “Nice is Nice.” Actuall for me, it far exceeded being nice. Much more!    After Nice and Monaco, I hopped on a train bound for the most Serene Republic of Venice, Italy. What can one say about Venice that has not already been said a million times over? I stayed at the Hotel Firenze near San Marco Square and I did the usual things. Of course, I loved it. But I had to leave after two days, to finally make it down to Southern Italy for my very first taste of the magical little town called Positano.

Positano

     Yes, John Steinbeck wrote, “Positano Bites Deep. It is a Dream of Place that isn’t quite real when you are there, and it becomes beckon real when you are gone.” Oh yes, Positano becomes beckoningly real when you are gone. It always beckons one back. When you’re there, and it’s time to go back home, you just might shed a tear. It’s a magical place. Positano will summon you back time and time again. Like all who’ve been there, you will dream of Positano ; the things you did, what you saw, how you ate, and marveling at every step you took. Time spent in Positano shall be ingrained in your memories If you’ve never been, you’ll not understand, for as they say, “you have to see it, to believe it.” The Amalfi Coast is quite possibly the most beautiful spot on all of Gods Good Earth, “yes, it is.” All the little hamlets along the coast, whether down by the sea, or way up into its soaring cliffs, and of course, this includes the nearby islands of Capri, Procida, and Ischia as well.      On my first trip to Positano I took the route that I thought was best at the time. It turned out it wasn’t. I read about it in my Frommer’s Guide Book, so I hopped on a train in Rome that was headed to Naples. Once at the strain station in Naples, I had to go downstairs to the local train for my next leg to get to Positano. The train in question is quite wonderful. It’s called the Circumvesuviana, and the train does just what the name implies, it circumvents Mount Vesuvius, making its way around the famous volcano. This train travels along the coast from Napoli to Sorrento, stopping at Erculano, and the Roman Ruins of Pompeii, Vico Equense, Castelamare, and all the coastal towns from Naples to Sorrento. The train only cost about 3.5 Euro (2018), and back in 1985, it was about one dollar. It is a beautiful train ride, with many interesting things to see along the way, like; Olive Tree Groves, grape vineyards, fruit and vegetable gardens, Lemon and Orange Groves, and all those towns you pass through along the way. You have many spectacular views of the sea, the countryside, and just about everything. Yes, I love seeing Lemons and Oranges growing, and I marveled at all these things, including the almost black soil that had just been turned over in the many small farms and gardens the train passes through along the way. Looking at the rich soils, I think of Tomatoes, Eggplants , fruits & vegetables that grow there and eventually wind up on people’s dinner plates. Yes, the train ride is quite delightful and an absolute bargain for what you get, which is transportation from Naples to Sorrento, which in the year 2018 would cost you 100 Euro or more by taxi or any private car, compared to the 3.5 Euro on this train.     Once you are in Sorrento, you will catch a bus to Amalfi that rides the Amalfi Drive and passes through all the towns, and ending up at the main square in Amalfi, but not before passing through Positano along the way. You can also take a ferry boat if you prefer it to the bus, but “believe it or not,” traveling along the famous Amalfi Drive in a bus or car is even more spectacular than going by boat. “Trust me.” Both modes of transportation are delightful, so I recommend trying both while on your trip. And if you are in a hurry, and or don’t wish to be in traffic, taking a boat from point-to-point is without question your best bet.    So now let’s get back to my first trip to Positano, and the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Someone told me to get off at Meta and catch the Sita Blue Bus to get to Positano. I did just that. I got off the Circumvesuviano Train at the station at Meta. The I needed to get onto a Blue Bus from in Meta, that would take me directly into Positano. I had to wait, if I remember correctly for about 30 or 40 minutes before the bus came, so I waited at the little caffe by the train station. I had a fresh Orange Juice and some Gelato as I waited. The bus finally came, and I jumped on and sat back, and got what would turn out to be the most magnificently breathtakingly bus ride of my entire life. Certainly, up to that point in my life at 23 years of age at the time. As it turns out, it still is after all these years, and traveling the World three times over. That bus ride is still the most spectacular ride of ever had.

 

Author Daniel Belino Zwicke

In POSITANO Summer 2015

    After pulling out of the caffe bus-stop at Meta, the bus made its way high up above the sea, on a road that quite literally straddles steep sheer cliffs. The bus twisted its way from Meta on its way to Positano, and then would continue to Praiano, and finally on to the town of Amalfi. The views of the sea, the cliffs, and the towns that we passed, were beyond wonderful. Riding the bus was a bit scary at first, as the bus navigated through tight hairpin turns beeping its loud horn as it made those tight turns it, looked to me as if the bus’s front-end was going to go over the edge of the cliff of the road, each-and-every one of about 100 or so of them. I truly felt as though the bus would drive off the road and crash on to the cliffs below. Which would have been a fall of some 1,000 feet to the sea beneath us. Yes, this was a Wild Ride, and I was filled with mixed emotions of the incredible beauty, and it seemed the danger of the ride, both at the same time, the ride was exhilarating. This supposed danger of the drive mixed with the unbelievable beauty made for quite the emotional roller coaster. If you take this ride, you will never forget it. “I never have.”     As the bus makes its way and whether you are on a bus or driving in a car, the combination of the Sea against the blue sky, the cliffs, the Saracen Watch Towers, hotels and little towns, and everything else there, “you will be completely captivated.” You peer into the distance at small towns that jut out into the Azur Sea, with the backdrop of a lovely Deep Blue Summer Sky, along with bright colored Mediterranean Flowers of every type, this is what you’ll see on the Amalfi Drive, widely consider the World’s Most Beautiful Road. “I dare you to find a challenger.”     If you’re coming from Sorrento on your way to Positano and Amalfi, make sure to get a seat on the right side of the bus for the best views and the ability to snap some memorable photos and take some video footage of this most spectacular bus ride of your life. If you are heading from the town of Amalfi or Positano towards Sorrento, do the opposite and get a seat on the left side of the bus. Sit back and enjoy the ride, for it’s the most beautiful you will ever see.

  This has been Excerpted from Best Selling Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke's forthcoming Book "POSITANO"  ... 


This book will be Available on AMAZON.com  Due for Spring 2019 Publication  ... Daniel's Best Selling Italian Cookbooks are Available at Daniel's AUTHORS PAGE on  Amazon.com    

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