As you can see in the picture, luscious strawberries are showing up, even in this northern Italy market in Pinerolo, where the Giro d'Italia just passed through.

There are also some very spiny artichokes and lots of asparagus.

Risotto with asparagus is simple to prepare. We warm some broth and add the chopped up stems of asparagus to the broth to cook a bit, then we brown the rice a little in a butter/olive oil combo, then start adding the broth and the stems, stirring frequently. When the rice is just about finished we add the tender tips to just barely cook them. Finish with some Parmigiano Reggiano, and you're done!

If you've ever been to an Italian bank--maybe to change money--you are probably not surprised at the title of this blog post. You could spend that amount of time just making a withdrawal, or at least I feel that way sometimes. It's one of the things about Italy I'm not particularly fond of. Italians seem to take it in stride. Well, most of them anyway. It's probably always been like that.

But, the story here is that an 82 year old man went out the wrong door and ended up downstairs, next to the boiler. He was forced to stay there over the weekend, when the bank was locked up. No water. No food.

He survived--something he might not have done if he'd actually had to make a deposit.

Sometimes when I go inside an Italian church known for its horde of art, I cross my fingers, hoping the art isn't a line of "Madonna with Child" kinda things.

Been done before. Lots.

Now I'm sure that the artists relished the assignment. Find their village's prettiest young thing and coaxing her into showing a great deal of cleavage (or more) for religion, art, and all that's good in the world can't be a bad way to pick up women. But the results are all a little (here he gazes towards the heavens, hoping for a lack of thunderheads) boring.

On the other hand the church has been kind to artistically challenged fools like me, introducing lots of artistic excitement in their Martyrs series. Don't you feel your heart race, just a little, when you see a young buck called Saint Sebastian leaning against a tree with five arrows sticking from various tender spots on his well-toned body, as if he has just backed away from a picnic and is gazing over the pleasant scene before him?

There are others. I'm particularly attracted, if that is the word, to Saint Agatha. If you knew her, you would be too, I'm sure. Here's a little thumbnail sketch to whet your hunger for more:

"St. Agatha’s attributes are shears, tongs, and breasts on a plate. She’s invoked against diseases of the breast, earthquakes and lightning. (And eruptions of Mt. Etna in Sicily!) Her feast day is February 5th. Agatha is the patron saint of Catania, Sicily and is one of the patron saints of Malta."

Yes, religion can be quite strange at times. In a good way, of course.

Although I didn't know it at the time, I had Saint Agatha in my viewfinder when taking this picture in the Duomo of Castell'Arquato in Northern Italy. Brutal but odd. She's totally ignoring the pincers being applied to her breasts.

If there ever was a painting that conveyed the attributes of quiet acceptance of a Holy calling, this might be it.

Anyway, if you've ever been thrilled or repulsed by a picture in a church but had no idea what was going on, then you should really check out Slow Travel Italy's Saints and Art.

20 years ago you seldom heard of the sparkling wine made in northern Italy's Veneto region called "Prosecco." Its an easy to drink sparkler that goes well with food.

Today Prosecco is everywhere. You hear of it all the time. It's gotten so popular that foreigners have started to produce bottles (and cans!) they label as "Prosecco." According to an article in the New York times:

"One product, Rich Prosecco, is made by an Austrian company whose ads feature Paris Hilton. In some, she is naked and spray-painted gold. What’s worse to some producers, the product is sold in a 6.8-ounce can, in gas stations as well as stores, for around $3." ~ Italian Makers of Prosecco Seek Recognition

You see, Prosecco is the name of a grape, so it's pretty much free game for winerys to plaster on a label. But, it's also the name of a town, so perhaps the producers of Prosecco will have a leg to stand on in European courts when it comes time to recognize the origins of the wine..

In any case, it's quite safe to sit down at an Italian bar and order a Prosecco; it won't cost you much but makes a great aperitivo in the early evening. Order it and you might be surprised at the little nibbles the wait staff will set upon the table. Enough for a light meal sometimes.

Prosecco makes a fine New Year's celebration drink, especially if one of your resolutions is to start saving money on "Champagne."

There is a pleasant trend ramping up in Europe: turning the Supermarket back toward its roots in the grand covered markets of Europe.

Eataly Turin, housed in an old Vermouth factory just outside the Lingotto center, is one of these successful transformations. Slow Food consults on the products. You can go there to shop, eat, drink, or get educated on where food comes from. Producers of goods on the shelves are profiled.

It's odd seeing tables with people socializing, eating great food and drinking wine right in the middle of the supermarket. After you get used to it you end up thinking, "gee, what a great idea! Fill a store full of the sustainable production from farmers who care, then cook it up for folks who want to eat in a lively environment."

You can have a full meal, munch on tapas, or fill your wine bottles from huge barrels. Or you traditionalists can just shop for great products that have the blessing of the Slow Food people.

And there's an Eataly recently opened in Milan as well: Piazza 5 Giornate, inside COIN, floor -1

Go. Eataly if you can.