HUNGRY GERALD

Many, many years ago, HG/BSK toured the beautiful Italian province—historic Sicily. Unfortunately, Sicily’s image has been tarnished by the Mafia–in reality, in fiction and in memorable movies. But, it’s much more than that.  Its history is unique. Moorish/Arab,French, Greek occupiers. All have left their mark on the island’s architecture, cuisine and culture. There are many magnificent ruins of Greek temples with soaring columns–visual delights. Our guides to Sicily were daughter, Lesley, and her husband, Massimo Riva. HG/BSK were fortunate. Massimo is Italian and an academic luminary (tenured professor at Brown University in Providence). His achievements—many books, international lectures, bringing Italian culture into the internet age, cinema programs in Providence and Bologna–have been honored by the Italian government. (His latest book: “Giochi d’ombra”, has just been published by Einaudi). Charming, modest and knowledgeable about every aspect of Sicily–he was a dazzling, erudite guide.(Massimo was born and grew up in the Sicilian coastal city of historic Siracusa, once an importantt Grecian city, second only to Athens. Massimo left the city for university and the beginning of his academic and tennis careers). One sunny Sicilian day, Massimo led us to the terrace of a hilltop restaurant overlooking Greek temple ruins. Drank copious amounts of chilled white wine and after a modest appetizer all ate Spaghetti a la Norma—the sauce was composed of eggplant, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and tomatoes. Wondrous. BSK has made this many times while HG/BSK have lived in the United States and Canada. Last night, comfy in HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft, BSK served the Norma dish with a bottle of Malbec, fruity robust Argentine red. Pasta was farfalle and the sauce: San Marzano canned tomatoes, cubes of eggplant, olive oil, garlic,herbs and much Asiago cheese. Stupendous—better than Sicilian. However, no Greek temple views –just weathered industrial loft buildings (most converted to condos).