Italy from an Italian’s perspective
As I close out my Italy Journal writings and reflect on my visit to Italy, I thought it would be fun to interview my Italian friend to get her take on all things Italy. Enjoy my interview with Daniela Pietroni: cook, Italian, American, and amazing person.
It should be noted that Daniela is a baker, she used to own a bakery in Italy for years and now she bakes and sells her pies, etc at local farmer’s markets. I think it is OBVIOUS that it was meant to be that her last name has the word PIE in it. If you tasted hers, you would come to understand that for her, baking is living and she loves to share her talents with the community. Daniela is one of those people that is an instant best friend. You can talk to her for 5 seconds and feel like you’ve known each other for years. Her personality draws you into her orbit and it is a raucous, joyful, loving, giving, hilarious orbit to be in. You’ll never want to leave. She’s just one of those very special souls that is truly in love with life. To know her is to love her !
Daniela’s booth at local farmer’s markets
What part of Italy are you from and what did life look like for you when you lived there?
Daniela: I’m from what the Americans call the Italian Riviera, Sestri Levante, only 30 minutes from the VIP Portofino and Cinque Terre. Living there, to me, was nice but a little boring and no opportunities.
How long have you lived in the USA?
Daniela: I have been in the U.S. since September 21, 2018
What do you miss most about ‘home”?
Just my mom and family members
What are the most important things in life to Italians? Family? Health? Food? A balanced lifestyle, or?
I cannot generalize but the Family, first. Sometimes it’s good sometimes not because the kids are not free to be themselves.
What are the biggest differences in the people who live in the cities like Rome and in other regions, such as the southern or far north?
The same as here, Chaos in the cities, difficult relationships, just work and back home. In the south it’s more like in the country, people know each other, are more friendly, smaller towns.
What is the deal with coffee culture in Italy?! I’ve heard that it is a belief that one shouldn’t have a cappuccino or any milk products with their coffee after 11:00. Where did this tradition come from and also, why is it more common to drink your coffee at the counter rather than sitting at a table? What other coffee culture things should travelers be aware of?
😂- coffee- we are just not used to drinking a cappuccino with our meal. We don’t drink a bunch of milk as Americans do (here I can absolutely generalize!) and we drink just a little milk with breakfast in the cappuccino or latte macchiato (that means a glass of cold or hot milk with a shot of espresso). Regarding the coffee at the counter…. we drink a LOT of espresso, that’s why it’s just at the counter. When I was in my bakery, I had friends or customers inviting me for a coffee.. just a few feet from the bakery, my favorite bar (you know we call where we drink coffee a bar), maybe 10-12 coffees per day! Sometimes we sat down, sometimes at the counter (most were at the counter 😂). Daniela says we could sit and talk about coffee for hours so, reader, it really IS a THING in Italy!
What are the Italians most proud of for their country?
Mostly our history and food
What traditions from back home do you still hold close to your heart and have integrated into your household here in the U.S.?
Homemade food and I’ll keep doing that until my last breath!
What do you think all travelers need to know before visiting Italy?
Italy is not just Rome, Florence and Venice.
Be aware of tourist traps and be aware of the gypsy people in the big cities.
Taste Gelato Pistacchio, Nocciola and Stracciatellla!
Please, please go visit Ravenna!!!!!!!
If you can choose a period to visit, don’t go in July and August. Very hot, humid and way too many people around. There are lines to visit any place.. line to go the restaurants, to catch trains, lines, lines, lines!
What is your favorite Italian dish to make and why?
Baking bread … my dad was a baker and the smell in the kitchen reminds me of my childhood.
Favorite dessert/food?
Cappuccino and cornetto or brioche (croissant) and Crostata with apricot jam forever!!!!
Dani and I are tossing around the idea that we should start a travel guide business. She knows everything about Italy and food and I know everything about art history. We BOTH know everything about how to have a good time. What d’ya think, readers? Want to join us? Drop a comment down below!
I wish you could taste these because they are incredible!
In the cooler months, you can find Daniela’s booth at the Coarsegold Historic Center weekend markets and in the past, at the Ace Hardware farmer’s markets (I’m not sure if she is still doing this one). When it becomes too hot out to bake, Daniela offers cooking classes for traditional Italian dishes.
If you are visiting the Yosemite area and want something fun to do…. this is it! Comment below and I’ll get you in touch with her. I PROMISE it will be one of the most fun experiences of your trip!
I apologize because I’m sure you all want some biscotti or a pie now (or is it just me?)…. Thanks for reading and take Daniela’s advice! Visit Italy outside of July/August and go to Ravenna!!!!!!!