Here’s a virtual visit to the city of canals, mystery, art, history, architecture, beauty, and fabulous food.
A compilation of some of my photos and videos from my visits to Venezia.
Take the trip with me!
Venezia
Travel to Italy While Staying Home
Modica, Sicilia
When I’m not in Italy, I’m in Italy in my dreams, in my imagination, in my thoughts, in my kitchen, and in my paintings. The country is part of my whole being and inspires so much of what I do.
When I am in Italy I snap images, and take video, in an effort to bring home “a little bit of Italy.” Here are two videos I put together with those images. One is a short compilation of the beauty of Venice…
The other is a short tour of Palermo’s Capo Market…and then a peek into the cooking class my group took on a yacht in Palermo’s harbor…
Later this year I’ll be visiting Assisi, Siena, Florence & Rome. I’ll bring back some more Italy for you. (And me.) In the meantime, visit Italy right now from home…and then, if you can, visit Italy.
Osteria La Zucca in Venice Italy
La Zucca, Venice Italy
Zucca means squash in Italian. Specifically those pumpkin-like green-skinned orange-fleshed squashes perfect for pasta filling, roasting, grilling, and all-around indulging in tasty earthiness that’s also SO good for you.
The restaurant La Zucca is in the sestiere Santa Croce in Venice, a bit of a ways from the neighborhood we stayed in of Dorsoduro. But with map in hand we strolled from calle to calle to campo to campo, getting lost but finding beauty at every lost turn…it’s inevitable…it’s Venice. Getting lost is actually on many top 10 lists of what to do in the city. I highly recommend it!
La Zucca in Venice
Up a pretty bridge and over a pretty canal we finally found La Zucca. We all agreed it was so worth the effort.
Different than a typical Italian restaurant, this one had a lovely creative focus on vegetarian cuisine, but didn’t shy away from meats, too. The interior immediately hugs you upon entering in a warm, yet modern way. The walls are covered in multiple slats of comforting wood. The tables are of the same wood. The menus are beautiful little sculptures of yellow shaped like small houses. And the place mats match the friendly yellow.
La Zucca menu
Just reading the menu is an impressive culinary journey. Deciding what to order is the hardest part. You want to try everything.
La Zucca place setting
I ordered the tagliatelle with lamb ragu. The flavors were deep, multilayered and PERfect.
La Zucca lamb ragu
Duane ordered Porri Grattinati…leeks in a gratin of cheese & cream…seriously heavenly.
La Zucca porro gratinatti
Lana ordered the red rice with tofu and almonds…the creative winner of our table …light and scrumptious.
La Zucca Red Rice w Almonds & Tofu
Our co-travelers sat at another table and enjoyed more and wonderful menu choices.
La Zucca co-diners at another table
Of course, we could not resist dessert. Duane had the luscious limoncello mousse…
La Zucca limoncello mousse
Lana the panna cotta, a dessert of gorgeous taste and color!
La Zucca panna cotta
And I had a fig topped cake drenched in bittersweet chocolate. Yes. To die for.
La Zucca fig cake w chocolate
If you’re in Venice this is a must visit. Here’s their website:
Lana & Paulette
Duane at La Zucca
Beer “bionda” at La Zucca
Thanks to Lana who suggested it (and Whitney, too!)
Lana at La Zucca
Zucchini Agrodolce Recipe from Venice
Herbs at the Rialto Market
Here’s a short video of my cooking segment on Channel 4’s More at Midday WSMV-TV Nashville…includes a brief glimpse of video from the Venice trip…but I will be posting MORE soon!
Just Back from Venezia
Rialto Market, Venice, Italy
Just led a group of 8 people on a cooking tour of Venice. What a fabulouso trip! Details and recipes coming soon!
Spaghetti alle Vongole
Chef Paulette 