This morning while shaking a rug out the window (Yes, I actually do that.), our friendly neighbor called across the garden asking if we’d like some tomatoes. Of course! These neighbors have some terraces of land that they put to very good use and work hard every day tending all kinds of fruits and vegetables. It’s always a treat when they offer something fresh from their garden. When I went to pick up the tomatoes, I got a surprise dose of southern Italian generosity when I found the basket piled full of more than just tomatoes. She also shared some of their wonderful plums (better than any I’ve ever bought!) and the most delicious ripe figs. Oh my!
This type of generosity is so common here in southern Italy. (And no doubt in the rest of the country as well, but this is only place in Italy I’ve lived.) Without any space for gardening, I often feel like I have so little to give in return for such generosity. So today, blessed with such abundance and kindness of neighbors, I want to share with everyone just how lovely, warm and generous the people of southern Italy are by their very nature. For many, something as simple as sharing an abundance of fruit is just as natural as saying buon giorno in the morning. It’s something that I learn from and love every day here on the Amalfi Coast.
Buona domenica a tutti! (Happy Sunday to everyone!)
Hi Laura,
I can confirm that the people of northern Italy are equally generous. In fact, at times the generosity is so overwhelming that I find myself redistributing the goods we receive.
It's a good thing!
Have a great day!
Dana
Ciao Dana! I've heard wonderful stories just like this one all over Italy. I think we'll be doing some redistributing of plums and figs tomorrow since they need to be eaten right away. I'm doing my best at the figs…. but I've discovered there are only so many figs a person can eat in one day. It's definitely a good thing! 🙂
Nothing better then neighbours with a nice, over flowing garden of fruit and veg they want to share!
Ciao Leanne! I know … it's lovely! 🙂
Hmmm, is there any way for you to spread the generosity to NY? I would bargain for some of those figs.
Would love to, Lisa! The figs need to be eaten in the next couple of days. Can you get here in time? 🙂
They sound just like our wonderful neighbours, that I have mentioned on my blog a few times. The generosity seems to be a country wide trait certainly amongst country folk.
We have a surplus of figs (our own) at the moment Laura and are drying them. In the heat at the moment they are drying very quickly.
Ciao Linda! I agree… where I live on the Amalfi Coast is more country than town. Oh, that's a good idea to dry the figs. Thanks! 🙂
Grazie Laura!
January in the Boston area can challenge ones sanity at times, however; there is beauty around every corner if you only look. The pictures of the fruit, I think tomatoes are fruit too, look absolutely wonderful. I’m reminded of August in our neighborhood and the sharing of the bounty. A lift of the spirit!
mike
Ciao Mike! Thanks for the cheery comment on this cold winter day. It’s nice to be reminded of the warmth of the summer … just around the corner! 🙂