"Breasts of the Virgin." Pastries shaped just as you would expect, and much prized by the nuns who make them.
The largest artichokes are called la mamma or mammoli, while small ones are called figli (children). The tiniest are called nipoti (nephews). Mammoli are actually a variety produced in California and, like a lot of large vegetables, bland in flavour but meaty in texture. When it has gone beyond chewing, these artichokes are broken down, all the leaves removed until they are left with the “fondo” or base of the artichoke. These may then be breaded and fried in olive oil with garlic and parsley, used in risotto or stewed.
Satsumas are a sweet, seedless, slightly flattened looking variety of mandarin orange, grown only in Japan and Spain.
Mandarin orange or tangerine. A small orange citrus fruit with skin which can be easily removed and segments which can easily be taken apart. The mandarin and the tangerine are the same thing.
"Silk handerchiefs." Squares of pasta, like extremely fine, square sheets of lasagna, so delicate that they are reminiscent of silk handkerchiefs. A speciality of Liguria and served with pesto.
