Angolo di Paradiso

Well ragazzi, it's my last morning here in Mazara, and what a great stay it has been.  This past week, as you have seen, I had the opportunity to enjoy this little corner of paradise.  I am so grateful to Fran and Claudia for hosting me, and to their friends and families for all of the hospitality they have shown.  I was having a chat with Claudia's father on the beach a few mornings ago, and, as we looked past the white sand into the clear blue water, he put his finger to his lips and asked me to keep Mazara a secret.  I can see why he would want me to do so, and anyone who has the chance to visit would understand.  I really feel lucky to have gotten this insider's experience of summer vacation in what has to be one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.  It is a lifestyle that I have enjoyed and can definitely appreciate.  And now, since you really just want to look at pictures of food (right!?), here is my last full day in Mazara...

Yesterday began with a dip in the sea at the calm and laid back Lido Costanza (which actually turns into a hopping party spot called "Sunset" on Sunday nights).  It wasn't long before Fran and I started hunting for ricci, and twenty minutes later we had pulled up ten or so of them, with no additional spines in my finger.  However, that said, after drying off, I noticed that my inner thigh was starting to bubble and swell a bit.  It didn't hurt, but itched a bit.  I actually have a pic, but I will spare you :).

We thought it might have been a medusa (jellyfish), but there were no lashing marks, so one of the workers at Costanza concluded it was "olio di mare," literally "sea oil," which is really a plant, kind of like the stinging nettles of the sea.  Claudia said that it was my baptism.  I feel blessed :).

Down but not out, I was sure not to miss this photo opportunity (above) on our way over to lunch at Approdo down the road.

Arriving at Approdo, Francesco made some appetizers of our spiny friends, and Claudia was first to enjoy a taste in the typical Mazara way.

The restaurant was really busy, so it was good that we had the ricci for a snack.  It took about an hour or so for our food to arrive, but it ended up being great and worth waiting.  My lunch, below, was a grigliata di pesce, which had pesce spada (swordfish) and gamberoni (shrimp).  The swordfish was thinly cut, tender and flaky and full of flavor, and the shrimp had the taste of the sea.  The contorni were grilled melanzane with garlic, olive oil and a bit of salt.

Following lunch, it was back to Lido Costanza for a bit, then one last stop at La Playa.

It was Saturday, and La Playa was packed.  Per Fran's instructions, it was immediately into the water for a game of volley, as we raced against the setting sun.  

Then, we toweled off and headed downtown for a trip to the local torrefazione, where coffee is roasted.  At this establishment, I got schooled on some brewing techniques, and was told in no uncertain terms that I must not put the coffee in the fridge.  Got it!

Finishing up the afternoon, Ciccio took me for one final granita; this time it was a mix of lemon on the bottom and "gelsi," which is locally grown and similar to blackberry, on top.  Ahhh, nice and refreshing.

Well ragazzi, it's almost time to head to the airport, so I'll have to finish up the evening post later when I am waiting for the plane, or perhaps in Madrid, where I will spend the night.  Ciao for now and buongiorno.