Travel
By Hand at Home
in Italy
Story & Photos by Lori Rice
C
ristina Fortini met me outside the Nuovo Mercato Esquilino, an
I’d grown proud of my ability to seek out the unexpected, to find
indoor market offering produce, meats, and cheeses near the
notable foods and inspiring stories in places not often celebrated for
Roma Termini train station in Rome, Italy. After quick introductions,
their culinary contributions.
we went straight into the market where my education in Italian
It’s no secret that Italy has outstanding food and a food culture that
ingredients began.
takes its traditional methods and ingredients seriously. What could
The truth is, I never wanted to travel to Italy. At least not like others
be left for me to explore or uncover there that hadn’t already been
who dream of vacations filled with pasta and red wine. Food and
shared many times over?
travel have been my personal and professional passion for years, but 12
