Local food European style

I know the name of this blog starts off with "Local.." but my main interest is finding interesting garden projects or food inspirations. On my four week trip to Europe, I was overwhelmed. Each country takes pride in their local products. This may be a certain type of meal, a particular vegetable or a wine. I wandered through vegetable gardens on cliffs of Cinque-Terre Italy. Here, I also ate the best meal of my trip of a seafood risotto with
amazing local white wine. In Tuscany, I ate at a Slow Foods restaurant where I ate the most amazing truffle pasta. I wandered through farmer's markets where a Parisian vendor joked with me that it would cost a Euro take photos of his fish. I sipped Sangria at Gaudi's Park Guell.
When you travel for hours taking in as much as you can, you don't always have time to stop and eat. Gelato made

it possible to keep exploring. It satisfied my sugar craving as well cooled me down in the Italian heat.
I camped under grape vines looking right over the ocean at the Amalfi coast. I visited the Global Seed Diversity Trust in Rome and learned more about their operations. I plan on doing a blog write up about this interview.
I learned from my gracious hosts, Matt and Miyoko that in France, "French Toast" is called "Lost Toast." I was also able to share with their friends some amazing cheeses....let's not mention "Swiss Cheese." Baguettes! I feel like I now understand why they are such a cliche. These baguettes so tasty and still warm from the bakery make a walk around Paris feel right. Museum after museum also revealed to me how food has appeared in still life paintings for centuries. Now looking back at this trip, I feel privileged to have these experiences. I look forward to returning one day and learning even more.