Living in the Panetteria

If you don't speak Italian, you might not know know what a Panetteria even is, but the majority of people enjoy the fruits of its endeavors. The bakery. Few things in life smell better than fresh baked bread just pulled from the oven. Few things go better with almost anything; meats of every assortment, fish, pastas, vegetables, it ALL seems to be that much  better with a basket of well-made bread sitting in the middle of the table.

I've lost my wife to a Panetteria; at least for a short time, and so, I'm dedicating this first blog to the Saturno family located in Naples, Italy and their fantastic story of baking the finest of breads in Naples. Someday, I'll do a long involved family story, but for now, here goes the short version.

Living in the Panetteria


My wife's grandfather didn't start out where he ended. He and his wife lived in a small 1 bedroom apartment with 5 girls, a feat that I must tip my cap to. This story is repeated throughout Naples and Italy in general even to this day, and many live their entire existence in this manner. However, he wanted better for his family, and as such started a bakery. The entire family got involved. Making the dough. Running the ovens. The young daughters delivered bread on bikes. They started out hand delivering, and supplying just a few, but when you've got a good product, it sells itself and and in Italy, a good bakery is always popular.

They soon grew into the major distributor for the area, supplying many of the hotels, hospitals and prisons with fresh bread every day. Needless to say, they moved out of the one bedroom, and he procured purchase of  land up on a hill, complete with some rare "green space". Yards and trees are not commonplace in the city so the amount of land he acquired and the fact that it is on the edge of a state owned park which can't be built on is impressive.  It was on this spot that a 2 story home was build. The first story was the bakery, the 2nd, the family home.

My wife and her family glaze over with fond memories of waking up to the smells of fresh baking bread wafting up to the second story as the morning light was just breaking the horizon.

Sadly, her grandfather died younger in his mid 60s from a form of cancer.  The lone son, born after his success took over the family business and ended up losing everything. Where ovens once exuded the happy smells of a family business, apartments are being built and his surviving wife's home upstairs slowly dwindles from its former glories.

And this is where my wife is currently staying for a few more days. Visiting the husk of the bakery and visiting with her family.  The trip is always a painful blend of joy and sadness.

This is the power of food. In this case, it raises the questions, "Is it better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all?" Without a doubt her family will say it is, but the pain upon seeing the closed up bakery is something that will always be there.

My wife once asked Reno, the son who took over the bakery, why he didn't just work hard at the bakery and make a good living at it. His answer is one that we all struggle with at one point or another.

"Make a good living? Yes, you can make a good living baking bread in Naples, but it's not enough".


It truly is a sad comment. Working the bakery would have made a very good living, but it wasn't good enough to simply be in the upper middle class, he wanted to be in the elite. He was willing to risk everything and lose simply to attempt to gain "enough".  Greed is a harsh mistress, her desires endless.

Today, there are regrets all around. The family still dreams of days of sneaking a fresh-from-the-oven loaf of bread from the bakery downstairs to eat upon the terrace overlooking the city. Those days are gone, but the love of one family is not. The memories remain, and maybe someday, on one side of the ocean or another, a Saturno bakery will rise again.

In case you havent notice, this blog will be "food-life" blog. We'll talk about alittle bit about everything involving food and families, and of course, the ups and downs we all have in life. I believe what makes food so incredibly amazing is more than simply the "taste" as we shove it into the gullet, but also the emotions and memories it holds.

We'll talk about how we think, feel, enjoy food, as well as how the world does and how we interact with that world of food. We'll post themed recipes with the blog, talk about restaurant experiences, and so much more.

Stay tuned. It's going to be a "fulfilling ride"
In Conclusion, here is a delicious Italian Themed Salad with Grilled peaches to eat on a nice hot summer day. Recipe from www.weeklygreens.com

Grilled Peach Salad with Prosciutto and Mozzarella

Grilled Peach Salad with Prosciutto and Mozzarella

Adapted from Kitchen Express

This simple dinner salad blends salty, sweet and creamy in a bewitching combination.

• 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
• Olive oil
• 4 cups mixed greens
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 oz. prosciutto, torn into pieces
• 4 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 8 large basil leaves, torn

• Heat a grill to medium direct heat.
• Brush the peach halves with a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking to the grates. Place the peaches cut side down on the grill for about 6 minutes, or until they have distinct grill marks and have begun to soften. Turn them over and grill for another 2 minutes. Remove the peaches from the grill and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the mixed greens with the lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss until coated. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella and basil.  Gently toss again to distribute the dressing.
• Divide the salad among four plates, then top each with two peach halves.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4