If you ask this beautiful lady what her name is, she will answer Cecilia Brizzi.
Brizzi is the married surname. Her “girl” surname is Cavero. Although according to Italian law, married women keep the surname of their family of origin, so much is the respect that Cecilia has nurtured and continues to have for her Carlo that I think she never thinks of answering in any other way. She is Cecilia Brizzi.
In the summer, every very early morning, shortly after dawn and before the streets are crowded with passers-by, Cecilia goes out. She wears a wide-brimmed straw hat to protect herself from the sun. She goes down to the Porto beach, takes off her sandals and starts walking on the shore. She strengthens the muscles and the circulatory system. She then goes to pray on the pier, where there is a plaque for the victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck.
Some time ago I asked her for a recipe. She made fun of herself a bit. She didn’t understand exactly why I was asking her for a recipe.
– Because I would like a recipe from each person of Giglio and I would like yours in a particular way.
– Yes… but I don’t… and which recipe do you want? About what? –
– Whatever you want, something you cook at home for your family. –
This morning I met her on the street and she handed me a white envelope with a handwritten sheet. A beautiful gift, which arrived just today, which is my birthday.
Here is the recipe:
SEA BREAM WITH ORANGE
Salt the sea bream after cleaning it. Arrange it in an oiled baking dish with two chopped shallots, with a few sage leaves, pepper and oil.
Wash two oranges and cut them into thin slices; cut them in half and arrange them to cover the sea bream. Bake in a moderate oven for 40 minutes, sprinkling it every now and then with half a glass after half cooking time.
This recipe is collected in the “Testament of the Sailor” of my husband Carlo. I offer it to you with much affection.
Your friend Cecilia.
I will keep this recipe in my “Secret Book of Life Recipes”. Thanks Cecilia.
Ah, I forgot! Follow this recipe, without delay. Maybe you will come to understand some of hier secret. Cecilia is 94 years old.
Marcella Ansaldo ©