Some views from the journey: licorice and vistas

Some of you have been asking for photos of the pilgrimage. Here are some photos. Of course others blame me for posting photos from trips. Sigh.

Anyway, trips don’t always have to include the “standards”. Yawn. For example, we visited in Calabria the factory of the best known Italian licorice, Amarelli. If you think you know licorice, and you haven’t tried this, you don’t know licorice.

It is made rather like coffee.  The wild roots are collected, shredded, ground and put through high pressure and water.  Eventually they extrude long ribbons of black stuff that is workable, shapeable.  Here is some cut for “chicchi”.  It has a dull finish here, but they apply steam and it winds up shiny and polished.

Here are some piles of licorice root.

On the other end, we are in the process of pizza.  The great Mimmo makes his best.

Along with a nice grill of meats.

There are nice views in Italy outside their cathedrals and along the coast.

There are nice views in Italy inside their cathedrals.  Here is the Duomo of Naples.

It is a small world: in sacristy I ran into a priest friend from the USA.

Alas, this doesn’t convey the impact of the quantity of silver.

Down the street is one of Caravaggio’s greatest hits: the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy.

Talk about feeding the hungry, mozzarella as it should be.  A material proof of God’s love.

Rest time.  Mass comes early.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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6 Comments

  1. ChesterFrank says:

    Thank you for posting the photographs. Great food, scenery,people and churches. There is nothing better than that.

  2. Legisperitus says:

    “Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.”

    – Chesterton

  3. Semper Gumby says:

    Excellent photos. The skilled and mischievous Mimmo could perhaps be persuaded to cover that licorice with a layer of fine chocolate. And put it on a pizza. And add that mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and why not, prosciutto. I think I need a second lunch.

    Hmm…the Doumo of Naples. Haven’t been there in a while, but this might be where the blood of St. Januarius is preserved in a vial.

  4. maternalView says:

    I liked looking at the photos. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

  5. Cafea Fruor says:

    Eep! I love licorice, but the shape of that piece you’re holding reminds me of my least favorite thing from my stay in Italy: scorpions. The sectioned rope looks kinda like the sections on a scorpion’s tail. *Shudder.* :o)

  6. ChesterFrank says:

    I should mention southern Italy is the land of Saint Francis of Paola, should you encounter that saint in your travels.

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