Luscious Gelato - How Did I Travel Without It!
Let's talk some Gelato -
Growing up in Chicago, there were exactly three ice cream flavors: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. An ice cream cone was a big treat, and an ever bigger treat was the Good Humor Truck coming down the block.
There was no such thing as ice cream in a frozen food section...the ice man brought a block of ice for the refrigerator. (My grandchildren call this the "Middle Ages," and they are right!) But time marched on and "39 Flavors", Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's appeared. How much better could it get? We're still talking ice cream here, not Gelato.
It took a trip to Italy to discover Gelato and the incredible difference between it and ice cream. Gelato has absolutely intense flavor, denser because it has less air (so I've been told). That was it. Forget ice cream, Gelato became my instant favorite with flavors like: Zabaglione, Mango, Creme Brulee, Stracciatella, Fruiti de Bosco, Blueberry, Coconut, Cappuccino, Framboise, and so many others. Hog heaven and major decisions - I can stand in front of a Gelateria for 10 minutes trying to decide on the perfect two scoops - sometimes, three scoops. This drives "ex-Marine" (husband, Steve) bonkers (give him any kind of chocolate and he's happy) because I'm having a breakdown trying to pick the perfect combination.
THEN, we learned to search for a Gelateria that makes its own Gelato. There are usually little signs saying, "Made by Proprietor" or "Artigianale". This becomes my life focus when in Gelato country.
These are a few of the places I would fly back to (if I won a Lottery) just to eat their Gelato. #1 on my short list is - Buenos Aires, Argentina! Surprised? Buenos Aires has a large Italian community and the Gelato is superb. The Argentines eat dinner very late, starting around 10:00 pm and are still pushing strollers and small children into restaurants after midnight. After that, they go to the nearest Gelateria for a few scoops, as we did. I'd be bent over from the food portions (steaks flopping off the plate), have major indigestion from eating so late at night, but still have room for Gelato. Pick any place on the street there, and I guarantee it will be wonderful.
#2 is Sorrento, Italy on the Amalfi Coast. There is a Gelateria called Davide, with an array of over 60 flavors! Talk about having a decision-making problem!
#3 is Menagio, Italy on Lake Como. I would ferry across Lake Como any day just for two scoops from either Gelateria on the main square.
There was certainly many places in Sicily that had terrific Gelato...but the above were memorable.
If any of these places are in your travel plans, have a triple scoop for me and relish every delectable slurp....
