We reached a crossroad with a sign pointing to Naples and east. We took the road east and followed t

It was a bright, hot, sunny August day when we drove south from Rome to Compania. The land to the west was green and farms were heavily cultivated.  They were growing vegetables and fruits that give the taste to Southern Italy's popular cooking. The panorama to the east included the Apennine Mountains and the cultivated land. Here animals were grazing for the eventual production of Southern Italy's famous dairy products such as mozzarella di bufala . I was encouraged and looking forward the food cooked in Italian American homes and Little Italy by American Southern Italians.
We reached a crossroad with a sign pointing to Naples and east. We took the road east and followed the signs to Maddaloni.  As far as the eye could see, there were fields discount vacation packages of red and green tomatoes, or orchards of fruit trees and groves of citrus trees. Betty's cousin Melina and her whole family were waiting for us with open arms and dinner. I was looking forward to  real Southern Italian food. Just like the food in the States-spaghetti served with Italian sausage, braciole, meat balls all cooked with canned tomatoes to make a robust spaghetti sauce; discount vacation packages dubbed gravy on Sunday.
Upon arriving at Melina's, everyone exchanged hugs and kisses. We were escorted into Melina's home, and to her dining room. Her table was set elegantly for dinner. Polatina, the maid, presented us with an elegant discount vacation packages platter of fresh mozzarella and sliced local salami. Our second discount vacation packages dish was ziti with a light fresh tomato sugo/condimento. The entrée was a pot roast dressed with a light, natural sauce and a contorni or side dish of roasted zucchini, squash and crispy roasted potato. discount vacation packages Our salad was Italy's favorite mixed greens and the one and only authentic Italian vinaigrette: extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. The wine for this dinner was poured from an unlabeled bottle.  After expressing our appreciation of the wine, we were told that it was made locally discount vacation packages with grapes from Avellino. We finished the meal with espresso, digestivo – Italian after dinner liqueur, fruit and cheese; dolce, discount vacation packages sweets were too heavy for an evening meal. Now that's Italian Food.
In a food processor, puree and remove the seeds from a quart of fresh plum Italian tomatoes. In about ¼ cup of olive oil, saute 2 whole large cloves of garlic discount vacation packages with a medium chopped onion. When the garlic browns remove it
from the oil. The onion should discount vacation packages be translucent. Add the pureed fresh tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, a large sprig of basil and a sprig of oregano. The herbs should discount vacation packages add flavor, yet they should be undetectable. Simmer slowly for about 20 minutes, this sugo can easily be over cooked.
For the pot roast: Brown the pot roast on all sides with crushed garlic discount vacation packages chopped onion and chopped carrots. Add a large sprig of rosemary and cook for one minute. Add ½ cup white wine and reduce by ½. Add 1 quart of broth, cover and simmer until tender, about 2 hours.   Serve with your favorite vegetables on the side.