Insieme
In Italian, Insieme means “together”. I am staying with Anna, for whom I WorkAwayed two years ago in Abruzzo. I cared for her 1 year old daughter and helped with housework. She took me to amazing places— old churches, ice cold mountain pools, and wild crafting in pastures. Often her friends would come for dinner or we’d meet them for a hike in a local park. Wonderful food was shared, each one contributing to the feast. Tzatziki, fresh bread, olives, sliced tomatoes, cheese, and prosciutto. There was usually a dish with zucchini, which they pronounced “Zoo-Kay-ney” in almost reverent tones. Always, ALWAYS, they engaged in conversation with one another, leaning in, gesturing, laughing. NO cell phones in sight, no television droning on in the background. Wine was poured, dishes passed hand to hand so we could help ourselves. I loved it. It’s what I’d dreamt of when I thought of family time in Italy.
Last night we visited Christina, Anna’s herbalist friend. She greeted me with smiles and a hug, gifting me with a bottle of her lavender water for my skin. Her partner unwrapped cheese and prosciutto, sliced a loaf of sturdy bread. Anna set out the fennel frittata and noodles with lentils that she’d brought. My Italian language skills are cosi cosi (so-so) but I was able to follow the conversation. Anna said “this is a simple Italian supper” and I replied “it’s wonderful. I love this. My family doesn’t eat together.” Pablo was shocked. “Not even with your husband?!” “No, I eat early and serve him dinner when he gets home.”
When I had my Paraguayan Brady Bunch brood of 7 kids, family dinners were generally a joyous ruckus, as the 9 of us pulled up to the table. I’d serve stew or soup, homemade bread, rice or noodles, all budget friendly and nourishing fare. After I downsized my family to just 2 kids, we’d share meals, but that eventually ended as our boys took on jobs or spent time with their friends. It wasn’t until I taught A Taste of African Heritage at the YMCA last year that I had regular company for dinner. We’d cook our meal together, clean up the tables, then sit together in lovely camaraderie and talk for an hour. That was my favorite part of the class; indeed, eating together is an integral part of the curriculum!
Feeding people and sharing meals are one of my greatest joys. It’s the reason I invite my friends to bring their friends over to my house. I’m thinking of having weekly “mandatory” family dinners so that I can see my kids on a regular basis, and offset all the takeout they consume with one good home cooked meal, made with love. We can be “insieme”, together for awhile. And for a short time, I can feel like Nonna JuJu, Nana to the world.
