All'italiana

Hill Court, Warranwood, Victoria, November 16, 2012—

NEXT-TO-LAST DINNER here in Australia for a long while, I think, a bittersweet occasion. We ate at home, and Lindsey made Aunt Victoria's antipasto, which doesn't photograph well, I'm afraid. Here's the recipe: a jar of mixed pickled vegetables, often called "giardinera"; a couple of cans of good tuna; enough tomato paste to bind the whole. The longer it sits, within reason, the better, of course. What else you see here: lentils left over from the other day; tarulli; part of a dinner roll. There was also cheese, and lettuce leaves.

Afterward, fettucini dressed with Parmesan and olive oil and black pepper; and then some very good chocolate ice cream. If I think of it tomorrow, I'll let you know the brand name…

Unsatisfactory wines: a Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Coli, 2010, slightly corked; a red wine, "Brunswick Street," nv, soapy and sweet, reminding me of Famiglia Cribari from the old days. Well, in fairness, a little bit of Shiraz/Cabernet, Rosemount Estate, 2010: much nicer.