Anneliese R.

About me

Anneliese Rabl is a German professional writer and photographer working in Tuscany. Expert in traditional Italian food, herbs and their history, Anneliese is also an authority on horticulture and olive oil production, with a deep passion for wine and fashion. She is living in a small hill village between Florence and Lucca and  adores the beautiful landscape, the wonderful Italian summers with warm sun, delicious food and wine. Anneliese loves Tuscans and the Italian life style but is still trying to find out what makes living in Italy so extraordinary.

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My recent posts

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Posted 02/11/2012

Ti Amo – A Valentine’s Day E-Cards Application

The first time I read, and paid any attention to a love declaration written on a wall was on  a walk in Tuscany, near the marshlands. Under a bridge, in huge black letters a drooling heart had decided to share  his sweet pain with the universe… and the loved one:”ogni tua parola e’ una goccia di amore che voglio bere”. Which, when translated to English means, “each of your words is a drop of love I want to drink”. Continue Reading…

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Posted 11/07/2011

Athena’s gift

Before becoming a precious gift for humanity, the olive has been an object of victory and defeat. Greek mythology, in fact, narrates the quarrel between Poseidon and Athena for the possession of Attica, a piece of land in Greece. Obviously, we are not talking about just anybody: Athena was the goddess of agriculture, arts and crafts as well as of order, law and justice, whereas Poseidon reigned over the earthquakes, the water and the Mediterranean sea. Continue Reading…

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Posted 09/12/2011

You are not worth a “dry” fig…(Non vali un fico secco…)

Honestly, I don’t give a fig about people’s opinion but I was quite curious to learn where the expression comes from. After having gathered some information here, read something there I decided to ask my most valuable friend when it comes to culture and, Ladies and Gentlemen,  I am talking about “real” culture! Continue Reading…

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Posted 07/11/2011

The Ribbed Florentine

In the Tuscan culinary tradition, the Ribbed Tomato of Florence (pomodoro costoluto da sugo), also known as “Florentine”, is a basic ingredient of a sauce nowadays considered quite ordinary. However, it has not always been like this. In fact, one hundred years ago, it was considered a solemn dish which contributed to the success or failure of the lunches held on the occasion of winter feasts, viz. Christmas, New Year’s Day, Epiphany and last Thursday before Lent. Its delicious aroma filled the air, promised abundant pleasures of the table, good humour, a reunited family, in short a festive atmosphere. Continue Reading…

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Posted 06/08/2011

“Prova Bikini” (The Bikini Test)

Only a few weeks ago we got the better of freezing cold,  loads of snow and  slippery ice in a country which seems never ready for the winter season.  Some  even gained victory over tire chains, experiencing the thrill (and the neighbor’s deep respect) of having them properly fixed around the wheels. We should all be feeling proud and real winners.  A Northerner probably does, because normally nothing else terribly difficult will happen for the rest of the year. Not so Italians. Their next trial just about to turn up is called “bikini test” or prova bikini, a merciless day of reckoning, thorny for at least fifty percent of the population – female and male. Continue Reading…

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Posted 05/18/2011

A Summer Herbs Almanac

One of the most fulfilling experiences you can have in Italy, specially in Tuscany, is summer food. Very fresh, natural ingredients, cooked in a simple and healthy manner for the sake of appeasing one’s hunger  in the best possible way, whilst sharing the pleasures of the table with family and friends. Being deep-rooted traditionalists, Tuscans have trust in their ancestor’s experience and the preparation of meals is almost always faithful to the recipes handed down through the ages. The people here have a very fine nose and know exactly what they are enhancing with which aromatic herb by keeping a perfect balance. Continue Reading…

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Posted 03/04/2011

Garlic, “The Stinking Rose”.

Garlic (allium sativum L.) What could be more Italian? And either you love it or you hate it. Garlic haters usually don’t like onions either and will doubtlessly appreciate the antique legend which reveals that when the devil was thrown out of paradise and came to earth his left foot touched the earth and sprouted garlic whilst his right foot brought forth onions. In fact, both plants belong to the lily or liliaceae family and certainly have a very distinctive odor. Continue Reading…