Post Punk Kitchen Forum

So when I resign myself to spending 3 more years in NC the husband finds out we're probably going to Vicenza Italy or Anchorage AK. I'm not too scared about being vegan in Italy but being gluten free? Horrifying. Anyone have any northern Italy things to share?

I have nothing to add other than I'd totally go to Italy!

I'm guessing it'd be easier to be vegan there than Alaska but it depends. I'm guessing you'd have access to a commissary at both locations. From people I've known to live in Alaska, fresh fruit and veggies are very expensive.

I've heard there are tons of celiacs in Italy and there's really good gluten-free pasta there?

I was in Bologna in May. There are a couple vegan restaurants there, but mostly I ate pasta and cheeseless pizza so I don't know much about being gluten-free there :(

Yeah so apparently celiac is so common in Italy that every child is screened for it at age 6, and it's a really gluten-free friendly place over all. I don't know about being vegan and gluten-free, but I've bought Italian brands of gluten-free pasta at international markets and they are super good.

Yeah, i think in most of europe, celiac has been on their radar for a much longer time than here, so it's tested for a lot more frequently and thus diagnosed more frequently. so you might be ok on that front! i'd be worried about the cheeeeese! but you can probably get vegusto!

take italy and run--if your family has choice in the matter. the produce is amazing. there are stunning xgfx pastas and other goodies to buy in markets. eating out will be a bit more difficult, but for cooking: the olive oil! the chocolate! the wine! the risotto!

we have no choice! we were hoping for something in new england. apparently the overseas commissaries are tiny and pathetic and virtually worthless.



here's hoping! that's interesting about screening all kids and it gives me hope!



yeah i think pizza and pasta and that's it.

Oh I thought you had a choice between the two. Here is hoping for Italy for you :)

I'm sorry to hear about the commissaries, my mom thought that the ones in Germany weren't bad and that was in the 70s :)

yes, I can confirm that even small towns in Italy usually have a pretty good selection of gf pastas and crackers and cookies and all that. I'm not gf, so I didn't check the veganness - but obvs for pasta you're good to go. Eating out might be a little harder, but at least there won't be much hidden gluten in the way of soy sauce and such. I think you'll have no problems cooking for yourself. Vicenza is a pretty cool place.

How cute would Livi be in Italy?! Oh my goodness! Someone get that kid a striped shirt and a straw boater hat. I'm hoping you all end up somewhere you can enjoy (in my mind that's anywhere but Alaska, but I know my dad LOVES Alaska.) I think cara cara was there recently, too?

thanks guys! the army said we should stay here for now. blech.

Do you think Livi would be interested in dressing like a gondolier anyway?

Rather than start a new thread, I'll wake up this one.

I'll be in northern Italy (Ferrara, mostly) for the last two weeks of January on vacation. I'll be staying with a friend in her home. Does anyone have suggestions of things she can stock in her kitchen before I get there? A brand of margarine, maybe? Best soy milk?

I see on Happy Cow that there are a few good restaurant options. Has anyone hung out there? Basically, if anyone has any info at all, I'm all ears. I've never been to Italy, so I'm super excited!