When I travel, I’m always in search of the most genuine & local experience possible, especially when it comes to food! How much more authentic can your culinary experience be than to prepare and share a traditional home cooked meal with a local host family in the country that you are visiting?

I introduce to you Traveling Spoon, a website that connects travelers with native hosts from all over the world. This cultural experience will take you off the eaten path for that truly authentic experience that you’ve been searching for. Like it says on their website, “Traveling Spoon is like having a friend’s mom cook you a home cooked meal in every country you visit.” It’s totally true! 

I just had my first Traveling Spoon experience in Florence Italy, and I must say… it was the highlight of my travels through Italy! 

My Experience

My host for the evening was Fabio, an architect/designer residing in the countryside of Tuscany with his wife Christiane. Fabio learned to cook as a young child helping his mom out in the kitchen. Ever since then, in his free time loves to cook, experiment with different recipes and entertain family and friends. 

He was kind enough to pick me up in Florence, where I was staying and we instantly got along. Fabio and I talked the whole way to his countryside home, located in the small town of Bagno a Riploi surrounded by olive trees. He is very knowledgeable about Italy and Florence’s rich history. Just before reaching the house, we pulled over briefly because Fabio insisted I take in the stunning views of Florence from the road. It was so gorgeous!

Upon arrival, I met Fabio’s wife Christiane, who was very excited when we pulled into the yard. She gave me a tour of their lovely, very colorfully decorated, traditional Italian countryside home. Christiane showed me how olives are picked and explained the process of how olive oil is made. I had no idea that olives in this region of Italy are hand-picked! 

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Aperitivo

We started with a welcome drink which was delicious! Campari with fresh squeezed orange juice served with olives, pecorino (cheese), fettunta (kind of bruschetta with olive oil and salt) and schiacciata con l’olio (type of flat bread). After a few minutes of us all chatting we finally started cooking. Christiane brought out aprons for us to wear that she even ironed! How cute is that?!

Primi

The first thing we prepared was the pasta. Fabio introduced to two machines that are normally used for making Italian pastas. He explained how they are used and what the main differences are. We used the trafila al bronzo, which literally translates to ‘bronze die.’ Fabio choose this one as it gives the pasta a more rugged texture. Once the pasta was done we started on the sauce. A simple combination of olive oil, garlic, broccoli and anchovies. In Italian, this dish is called ‘pasta con broccoli e acciughe.’ Simple, yet delicious!

Secondi

The Tuscan way of cooking Italian food is using a few key, seasonal ingredients but of the highest quality. So for our second course Fabio taught me how to make one of his favorite fish dishes, ‘baccala con porri e cavolo viola.’ A delicious combination of lightly pan fried cod with leeks and purple cabbage. 

Dolce

And for desert we made a simple cake called ‘castagnaccio,’ a chestnut flour cake topped with pine nuts and baked. A very quintessential autumnal dessert in the Tuscany region. 

We enjoyed this tasty meal with a bottle of Morellino di Scansano. A very typical red wine from the south of Tuscany. 

After dinner, we continued the conversations over a cups of fresh brewed coffee. 

If you think the hospitality stopped there, think again! Fabio drove me to the bus station, purchased my ticket and waited with me to make sure I got on the right bus back to Florence!

Through Traveling Spoon, I was able to spend an afternoon with two lovely people. I got to visit their home, learn how to cook traditional Italian foods and enjoy the fantastic meal with them! It’s an experience that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I can’t wait for my next Traveling Spoon culinary adventure! Hopefully in a cozy country kitchen, somewhere far far away , wherever that may be 🙂

To book this experience with Fabio or any other host from anywhere in the world, be sure to check out Traveling Spoon! 

Happy and delicious travels y’all!