Gala Placidia's activity

You can also, clean them as explained, dip them in flour, then in some beaten egg and lastly dust with breadcrumbs. Fry in plenty of olive oil and serve with lemon juice. A nice white wine goes very well with this.

You are right, the fleur-de-lis or iris has always been the heraldic emblem of Florence. This is the reason why the have the best collection of irises in the world. They say that a long time ago, irises used to grow wild around the ramparts of Florence and this is the reason why they chose it as their emblem. Some of the varieties that they have in the gardens are very rare.

With altitude, you will have some limitations regarding the type of fruit you can grow. Also, generally speaking, the trees and the fruit are smaller in size than in lower altitudes. Then, there are other factors, such as microclimates, which occur in the area. I know that in Bagni di Lucca we have a microclimate that creates milder summer and winters. Fruits that should still grow in that altitude may include cherries, apples and a variety of nuts, mainly chestnuts. Certain varieties of vine can also be grown. The best thing would be to ask around the area and check which kind of trees and plants the neighbours grow. Good luck!

Same problem here...

I think that it would not be a problem to have them together.... as long as none of the plants are infected by the toxin. There is no guarantee, as the problem may come from a neighbour's vegetable garden and it spreads through pollination. As everything to do with gardening or growing vegetables... you need a crystal ball.....

Did you taste the courgettes before blanching them? Were they slightly bitter? Did you notice that same taste if you sauteed them with oil and garlic? Zucchini have some natural toxins called "cucurbaticins" which give a bitter taste, sometimes very strong. This can spread through pollination to other garden vegetables, particularly squash or cucumbers. Perhaps, it is not your plants but they got the toxin also because of pollination. This happens to homegrown zucchinis. Commercial varieties are treated. 

Great explanation, Allan, I did not think of that, but it makes a lot of sense. The mystery of the non-sprouting sweet potato is solved! I would replace the old sweet potato by one that has been organically grown. God knows what those sprays can do to the poor thing! Dylano may end up with a mutant.

Well Dylano, it must be a mystery as you have done all the right things... Simply, the sweet potato does not want to cooperate..... which is rather strange.

Buona Pasqua and best wishes.

 If you do not know what to cook for an Easter lunch and you want to prepare something typically Italian, have a look at the "Torta Pasqualina" recipe in this thread. It is not difficult and the results are spectacular.