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In the past couple of weeks, Italy has been taking baby steps towards some semblance of normality. Provided we wear masks, we can now venture outside our homes to go for a jog, take our children for walks or visit family and friends within our home regions. Cafes and restaurants have been allowed to reopen, except in Campania and my adopted region of Piedmont. In these two regions, home delivery and takeaway meals remain the only options for business for the time being. Hairdressers and beauticians have just been granted permission to reopen. Masses can also be officiated again. More and more Italians, my hubby included, are making the transition to working at their offices, after over two months of 'smart-working'. Employers, however, are obliged to allow employees with children 14 years and under to continue to work from home. Sadly, for the country's children, day care centres and schools will remain closed until the new school year in September commences. There is talk, however, of opening centri estivi (vacation care centres) to children aged 3 and over as of June. For the moment, all learning is being conducted online, despite the obvious drawbacks of this mode of education.
Many Italians are disappointed that the easing of the restrictions in the past couple of weeks hasn't been fast enough. This very morning, I was at our local cafe-patisserie, Alicino, picking up the pastry cream filled croissants I had ordered for my family and I for breakfast. The pastry chef owner told me he was hoping and praying for confirmation that he'd at least be able to reopen on a not just made-to-order basis as he and his wife had just recently done. He made no secret of the fact that it had been very difficult for them to accept that their business had to remain closed for recent special events like Fathers' Day, Easter and Mothers Day.
In today's post, I reflect on our new post-pandemic reality. I also share a recipe for a seasonal pasta dish that's been cooking a lot lately in our home, pasta con piselli or pasta with peas.
Buon appetito!
Rosemarie
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