That's Amore

"When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet, You're in love...."

Dean Martin captured the combined sentiment that is love and Italy in his 1953 croon, "That's Amore".  A translation in reality depicts itself on warm summer nights in Italy, with locals, your friends, and two large scoops of chocolate noir and coffee on a cona.

Dear, dear Gelato.

In Italy, you can't walk ten steps without encountering a gorgeous, lit-up, colorful and enticing Gelato shop.  With their rows and rows of freshly made creamy, rich concoctions, parlors of Gelato beckon all, young and old, rich and poor, the belly-filled and even the lactose intolerant.  Even when you're not in the mood for an ice-cold treat, you find yourself hand heavy with spheres of sugar slurping away with abandon. 

Gelato dates back to frozen desserts served in ancient Rome and Egypt and continues to wow peoples of the world today.  Its silky consistency and intense taste satisfy the palate regardless of chosen flavor.  For those who lean fruity, crushed fresh and ripe seasonal produce mesh with milk and eggs into a really excellent Gelato.  Interesting varieties include Rose, Pistachio, Watermelon and Black Cherry with Cream. 

Apparently, Gelato is the less ditzy when compared to its ally, ice-cream and thus results in a stronger more intense flavor.  Gelato-makers incorporate air into the freezing process making it denser while air is added to ice-cream after frozen creating more quantity but less va-va-va-voom flavor.  Although both make a gal happy, summer nights in Italia never prove complete without a lazy sit and stroll on the streets of any local town with a large heaping of affection on a cone.  As anyone who's licked can attest, Gelato always satisfies regardless of the origins of its birth. 

Pizza, Prosecco, Gelato....That's Amore