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Yes. Italy has supermarkets. Most of our shopping was done locally, especially in the local Mamma e Papa alimentary (deli). But when we did shop at the Supermercato, while there were similarities, there were many differences. And don't forget to wear a plastic glove to handle the fruits and veggies, or helpful nonna will put you in your place! All photos copyright 2025, J.Finzi  Huge lemons, but even bigger can be found on the Amalfi Coast  Prickly Pear, or Fichi d'India  Cardi (cardoons), used in soups, sides or fried.  The cheese department offers an abundance of cheeses from every region, and even has a cheese monger stationed there.  In Italy, it's not "cream cheese", it's 'Filadelfia", and is more buttery in taste than in the States.  UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) pasteurized milk in Italy doesn't need refrigeration until it is opened. It has a shelf life of 6 months.  In air-conditioned supermarkets, there are miles of chocolate bars. Curiously, in summer, people rarely buy it because of the heat.  Some cereals are very recognizable. Fed to bambini (children) at colazione (breakfast).  Porto di Ripetta, Rome, by Fratelli Alessandri, circa 1850--There was no record of this port aside from this photo. It was demolished in the 1880s.  Ponte Rotto, Rome by Joseph Philibert Girault de Prangey, 1842  Temple of Vesta by Pietro Dovizielli, 1855  Mecenas’s Villa and the Valley of the Anio and cascades, by Robert Macpherson, circa 1858  Duomo di Milano by Calvert Richard Jones, 1846  Panteon, Rome, by Fratelli Alessandri, circa 1850  Pompey’s Lane, Pompeii, by Eugène Le Dien, 1853  Casa di Rienzi, Rome, photographer unknown, 1855  Piazza Navona, by Fratelli Alessandri, circa 1868  Arch of Titus, Rome, by Giacomo Brogi circa 1870  Spanish Steps, Rome, by Robert MacPherson, circa 1850  Tomb of Caecilia Metella, Via Appia, Rome, 1841 Daguerreotype--one of the oldest known photos of Italy.  Artist: Thor Wickstrom. Antonio Veniero, was born near Sorrento in 1870 and arrived in New York when he was a wide-eyed teen at 15 years old. Young Antonio then went to work in a candy factory. As his skills--and wallet--grew, he bought the building on East 11th Street and in 1894 began producing his own handmade confectionery. When customers asked for other treats and refreshments, he began offering espresso and biscotti. The rest is history... one of the best Italian-American pastry shops was born.
After having just celebrated their 129th year in business, the Veniero family still owns and operates this Manhattan gem. Veniero’s Pasticceria and Caffe 342 East 11th Street (between 2nd and 1st Avenues) New York, NY 10003 Phone: 212-674-7264 --Jerry Finzi  The Padule di Fucecchio is the largest Italian swamp. Containing about 8 square miles, it is located on the border of Pistoia and Florence provinces. The territory represents a remarkable tourist attraction, for both bird watching and nature photography and is a draw for local duck hunters.
   If you love flowers, especially flowering vines, then Italy is the place for you. The flowering season is long and dazzling displays are everywhere, from the northern regions all the way down the Boot to Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia. Early spring is best to see the wisteria displays, but don't worry, there are many types of flowers that grow all through the season, such as the amazing tropical bougainvillea. The grow up and around houses, seemingly in an attempt to swallow them up completely. The balcony gardens are another pleasure to see when Voyaging throughout Italy. So, bring your camera, your pastels or watercolors and take in the scents of Fioritura Italia... You may also want to see Creating a Hanging Italian Wall Garden. 
  --GVI
 During these days of uncertainty, fear, frustration and fatigue, it's often the little things that bring a smile to our faces... In this case, I was sitting down for a midday snack, mindlessly peeling a clementine as I was tuning into a YouTube travel video, when I looked down and saw I had peeled the skin into a perfectly beautiful star.
Look for the little things and build from there. Hoping you are all well... --Jerry Finzi  Pearl Street shops, 1908. (491 Pearl Street)
Grocery store, with proprietress in doorway, Cigar, Tobacco and Candy Shop and a Restaurant with sandwiches, pies, cakes, coffee and milk. |
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