Chicken eggs laid on Good Friday were once considered particularly powerful. According to popular belief, they could either predict the harvest of the coming year or, eaten raw or cooked, protect against disease. A Philosopher's Egg And this is a Philosopher's Egg. A what? According to E. Cobham Brewer (Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 1894),... Continue Reading →
The onion calendar is an old and almost forgotten form of a New Year’s oracle from Central Europe, aiming at predicting the coming year’s weather, which was important for farmers.At New Year’s Eve, they cut an onion in half, laying out 12 “cups” of onion layers, according to the months of the year, and sprinkle... Continue Reading →
In this richly illustrated cookbook, I present 40 recipes from the places and time of the Bible, offering insight into the prehistoric and early historical mediterranean diet. https://leggi.amazon.it/kp/embed?asin=B08LHML76D&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_udOLFb0XP9KAD Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey are the biblical "Seven Types" that form the basis of the cuisine not only of the Holy Land but... Continue Reading →
Just out: GARUM - the historical cookbook with recipes from the past (Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, medieval Europe and the Middle East, Renaissance). With many photos by Manoocher Deghati. Available here.
The celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is probably as old as human settlements and agriculture, if not older. Although the real winter cold is yet to come, the days are getting longer again. The crop has been brought in, there is not much outside work to be done, the... Continue Reading →
We've observed the summer and winter solstices for as long as humans have been around. In fact, one of the most popular western celebrations today, Christmas, is reminiscent of the winter solstice celebrations. Known as the darkest time of the year, when days are short and little work is to be done outdoors, there's plenty... Continue Reading →
My novel "The Emir's Trace" about the history and traditions of Puglia is now available in English: When young historian Lia Winter’s uncle dies, she travels to Southern Italy to spend several weeks with her aunt who is a masciàre, a traditional herbalist. Lia quickly finds herself increasingly fascinated by her aunt’s archaic way of life... Continue Reading →
Driving down the road south from the city of Urfa in Turkey, once known as Edessa, towards the nearby Syrian border, we approach the ancient town of Harran. The landscape is flat, a vast and dry plain, with light brown being the predominant color, apart from the bright blue sky from which a scorching sun... Continue Reading →
I am happy to announce the publication of my book "Die Spur des Emirs", featuring a quest for old manuscripts, believed to be lost, in Apulia, together with lots of details about traditional life and a forgotten chapter of Southern Italian history. The book is currently being translated into Italian and will be soon published... Continue Reading →
