08 May 2008

Memories of Italia: Acqualagna


It was a small town in Acqualagna, Italy where our NIAF (National Italian American Foundation) group visited local truffle farmers. Our forty-member group entered the small home, which appeared quite simple to my American standards, yet appeared to be appreciated by the small family of farmers. The home was sparsely decorated yet appeared to be full of love and the aroma of something cooking, no doubt some delicious Italian cuisine.

We were invited to tour the fields which were more like a forested area to “hunt” for truffles. The weather was damp with rain on the horizon as we listened to a broken English explanation of how to find truffles. I shared a laugh with a friend remembering that most of the students on the trip thought that the truffles we would be hunting were chocolates . . . I could only imagine what had gone through their heads.

When we returned to our guests home, the farmer and wife invited us to taste their homemade wine. It was strong bodied and smelled like leather and wood and as I recall the experience, I’m not sure where the farmer had poured us glasses. The conversation I had—through our translator and with what little Italian I knew—focused on living in Acqualagna. I was impressed by the contentment and gratification that these people had for their life work and their home.

I was humbled by the tranquility that they had found within the simple hills of Acqualagna, farming for truffles to make ends meet. They reminded me that success in life and a sense of self-worth is not based on accolades, material possessions, or economic value rather that we can find joy and happiness in life’s simple joys.

For those interested, the Mycological Society of San Francisco provides the following information on truffles:

The term "truffle" as commonly used refers to members of the genera Tuber and Terfezia. There are many other kinds of subterranean fungi, "false truffles," which outwardly resemble the ones we eat. They are far more common than the ones that are collected for food, and some are poisonous.

Truffles are round, warty, and irregular in shape and vary from the size of a walnut to that of a man's fist. The season for most truffles falls between September and May.

The mention of truffles conjures up images of the expensive French black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) from the Périgord region of southwest France, used in making pâté de foie gras, or the renowned odorous white truffle (Tuber magnatum) of Alba, in the Piedmont district of Italy.

Since the times of the Greeks and Romans these fungi have been used in Europe as delicacies, as aphrodisiacs, and as medicines. They are among the most expensive of the world's natural foods, often commanding as much as $250 to $450 per pound.

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This blog is intended to raise awareness through e-conversation about particular issues of relevance to the religio-culture of Adventist Christianity. There is no intent to openly offend or demean persons of different opinions. It is my humble hope that those who agree and those who disagree with these posts will be able to dialogue together to better understand our common heritage and culture as Adventists and to celebrate our Christianity. May the Spirit of the Lord guide and bless us in this endeavor and may this spiritual journey glorify our Father in Heaven.