L'Italo-Americano

i n g a r m o r , w e a p o n s , a n d other military equipment for the armies of neighboring kingdoms and principalities Today, the metalworking tradition in Molise continues to thrive, with artisans using a range of techniques and materials to create unique and beautiful pieces, often inspired by the region's rich history and cultural heritage Chocolate from Pied- mont Turin is one of the coun- try's chocolate capitals, and its region, Piedmont, is home ose practice goes back mil- lennia in the area. Archaeolo- g y a n d h i s t o r y s h o w t h a t metalworking was a key craft for the region's ancient Sam- nite inhabitants, known for their skills in working bronze and iron. The Samnites were a powerful Italic people who lived in central and southern Italy during the 1st millenni- um BC. Molise kept its con- n e c t i o n w i t h m e t a l w o r k throughout the Roman era, and during the Middle Ages, the region's craftsmen played an important role in produc- to many renowned choco- latiers, including Ferrero, Venchi, and Caffarel. In fact, some believe that it was the Savoias, once Piedmont's – and then Italy's – royal fami- ly, who made chocolate pop- ular in Italy, because they were so fond of it, especially its drinking form. Whether that's true or not, chocolate i n P i e d m o n t i s a s e r i o u s thing, and it certainly makes a great souvenir. One of the most popular Piedmontese chocolates is gianduiotto, a smooth and creamy delicacy made with hazelnuts, which are one of the region's most significant and famous prod- ucts and central to many a t r a d i t i o n a l P i e d m o n t e s e recipe Terracotta cups from Apulia A p u l i a , l o c a t e d i n t h e southeastern corner of Italy, has a long history of pot- tery-making. The region's r i c h c l a y s o i l a n d s u n n y weather create the perfect conditions for creating beau- t i f u l , d u r a b l e t e r r a c o t t a pieces. The pottery-making tradition in Apulia can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who settled in the region in the 8th century BC and introduced their already highly developed techniques to the area. Throughout the centuries, Apulian potters c o n t i n u e d t o r e f i n e t h e i r craft, using local materials and time-honored techniques to create some of the most beautiful terracotta pieces in Italy. Leather handcrafted goods from Tuscany Tuscany is known for its art, culture, and cuisine, but we shouldn't forget its beau- tifully made leather goods. The city of Florence, in par- t i c u l a r , i s f a m o u s f o r i t s leatherworking tradition, w h i c h d a t e s b a c k t o t h e Renaissance. Tuscan leather artisans are known for their attention to detail, their use of high-quality materials, and the beauty and durability of their creations. From small pieces like wallets and key chains to larger statement pieces like shoes or bags, Tuscan leather is bound to make an impression, if you bring it back to a loved one as a souvenir. region. One of the best places to sample citrus honey in Basil- icata is in the town of Meta- ponto, on the coast of the Ionian Sea. Metaponto has a long history of beekeeping and is home to several local producers who are dedicated to preserving the traditional methods of honey produc- tion M e t a l h a n d c r a f t e d objects from Molise Molise has a rich tradi- tion in the field of crafts, par- ticularly metalworking, wh THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano LIFESTYLE FASHION FOOD ARTS ADVICE LANGUAGE W hen you're o n v a c a - t i o n , i t ' s easy to get caught up i n t o u r i s t t r a p s a n d b u y generic souvenirs that don't hold much meaning. We've all been guilty of it. Fake, m a d e - i n - C h i n a V e n e t i a n mask? Check. Plastic copy of the Colosseum? Check. Any- thing with a flag or a pizza on it? Check again. It's certainly easy to pick these things up from any of the many sou- venir stores and stalls that pepper our cities, but how cool would it be to choose something that is not only better but also truly connect- ed to the history of the place we visit and its community? L e t ' s c h e c k s o m e i d e a s together. C i t r u s h o n e y f r o m Basilicata Besides being the home of beautiful Matera, Basilicata is known for its production of h i g h - q u a l i t y h o n e y . T h e region has a wide variety of f l o r a , i n c l u d i n g M e d i t e r - ranean herbs such as thyme, r o s e m a r y , a n d o r e g a n o , which provide an ideal envi- r o n m e n t f o r b e e k e e p i n g . Indeed, Basilicata has a long history of beekeeping that dates back to ancient times: archaeological evidence sug- gests it was practiced as far b a c k a s t h e B r o n z e A g e , around 3,000 years ago, and w e k n o w t h a t b o t h t h e Greeks and Romans prac- ticed beekeeping here, as well as other parts of Italy. Honey was traded throughout the Mediterranean, too, because it was highly valued for its medicinal and culinary prop- erties. The most notable variety of honey produced in Basili- cata is citrus honey, made f r o m t h e n e c t a r o f c i t r u s flowers. it has a bright, tangy f l a v o r t h a t i s p e r f e c t f o r a d d i n g a b i t o f z e s t a n d sweetness to your tea and desserts, including ice cream. Honey is usually harvested in the spring, when the citrus trees are in bloom, and can be found in markets and spe- cialty shops throughout the CHIARA D'ALESSIO A lively market in Florence where you can find handcrafted leather goods (Photo: Denisvostrikov/Dreamstime) Bringing home a slice of Italy: five fantastic souvenirs from the Belpaese Colorful leather in a Florentine workshop (Photo: Svetlana Day/Dreamstime)

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