Festa della Repubblica

Yesterday, I had my first test in Italian (yep...on day 2 of class!) but it was ok.  I didn't realize how much I had learned already from the last week with my family, but I have learned a lot!  Patrizio was trying to explain something to me in English yesterday, and I had to ask him to use Italian, because I understood him better!  That was exciting.  I went home for lunch (spaghetti with tuna, then sausage and tomatoes with mozzarrella, salad, and for dessert: ricotta with cherry marmalade).  It seems like everyday, they have a different cheese for me to try, so after lunch they had pecorino and they put honey on it.  It was interesting, but actually pretty good. 

In my cooking class in the afternoon we learned how to make fresh pasta.  We made lasagna with three different colored noodles, and spaghetti, and got a bunch of recipes for sauces to go with.  Such a fun class.  We had dinner at the house, and then all of the students met up at the Caffe del Duomo which is where a lot of them spend their time during the day and at night.  We met a lot of new locals, which was fun, and had a great night.

This is the osso bucco con gremolata that we learned how to make on Tuesday.

That is me making spaghetti using the "guitar."

The spaghetti we made, and the contemporary lasagna with parsley inside the noodle.

Risotto alla zaffarone that we made with the veal on Tuesday.

Today is the Festa della Repubblica, so a lot of people are preparing food, and having parties, just like we do on the fourth of July.  I'm not sure what we are going to do, but I'm excited to see how they celebrate.