“Easter” Eggs, all year long

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Before we know it, nary a chocolate bunny ear will be found in the shops around town.  Easter accessories will soon make way for other spring-like decorations, and it will be a whole year until Lindt’s famous gold-wrapped chocolate bunnies take over the supermarkets again here in Zürich.   Hand-painted Easter eggs are no longer at the markets either, with their intricate designs and impressive handicraft.  But what you do see – 365 days of the year – are bright, colorful eggs.

Eggs !Eggs !

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Let the Rhubarb (Dessert) Season Begin…

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

It’s starting to get real exciting at the markets here in Zürich.  We’ve already had a few tastes of summer, and berries are making their first appearances, mostly coming from Spain and Italy.  Best of all, rhubarb is now in the spotlight !  I noticed the long, green-topped, ruby stalks at the Coop (local supermarket) a few weeks ago, but as they were grown in hot-houses (and who knows where), I waited ever so patiently for the local crop to show.  Swiss rhubarb is now at every stand at the markets and I can hardly resist buying some each time I go.  Those bright stalks stick out of my market bag like a French baguette, and I hurry home to turn them into a quick pot of jam, or chop them up and throw them into the oven hiding beneath a mountain of buttery crumble topping.

Swiss RhubarbSwiss Rhubarb

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Rome, Part II: Sweet & Savory

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

I went to Rome.  And I visited the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, Campidoglio and Campo dei Fiori.  But I know what you’ve all been asking.  What and where did I eat ?!

Even though my lists only had addresses for gelato, chocolate, torrone, pastries and breads, remember, I wasn’t alone on this trip.  So I did sort of have to eat some savory.  And hey, it’s Italy… land of pasta, pizza, prosciutto, mozzarella and more.  I was okay with that.

Rome Eats, ItalyRome Eats, ItalyRome Eats, ItalyRome Eats, Italy

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