Comments on: The Vegetarian’s Dilemma: Umbria and Pork

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:39:23 +0000

Diana Baur mentioned you on Facebook today. I’m so glad to make your acquainance! It was pure pleasure reading this intelligent post! Definitely makes me long for Italy. Our daughter was in Perugia for a semester; we have been back a number of times since. Your farm looks like our kind of place! I’ve bookmarked it. :)

By: rebecca

rebecca — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:11:02 +0000

Leslie, thanks so much for your wonderful feedback…you made my day!

By: leslie

leslie — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:15:00 +0000

loved this! i have been vegetarian for more than 20 years, became one in college after taking a women’s studies class that associated animal rights with women’s rights…. long story…. i went head on in to the animal rights side of things and now 20 years later am very proud of the changes that have been made in the united states regarding the food we eat and how we take care of farm animals (although we have a LONG way to go). that said, i totally understand why you would support the way animals are raised, slaughtered and eaten in italy. i think i would not be a vegetarian had i lived in a society that treats their animals this way. it is with respect and even though i hate the idea of killing animals, if they are to be eaten, then this is the way to go. i, like you, would not eat meat now because it has just been so long since i have, but i could definitely embrace the humane farming practices you described. thank you for such a wonderful perspective with the vegetarian twist. loved it!

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:39:53 +0000

I totally get it! I’ve been a vegetarian since I was a child, and in Valle d’Aosta, the diet is very heavily meat-based. I also live on a cattle farm in Aosta. It’s been a bit of an adjustment, involving lots and lots of cheese, to figure out how to eat a balanced diet in Italy while still being a vegetarian. Luckily my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are Italian vegetarians, so that helps!

Great post, and interesting observations!

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:51:53 +0000

Nice post, Rebecca. Well written. My wife and I live largely on various meats and cheeses, not because of any ethical concerns (those are largely beyond me), but because we are much healthier. That not withstanding, we are looking forward to Umbrian pasta when we come stay with you in late September.

By: rebecca

rebecca — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:20:19 +0000

If you are interested in knowing more about artisan butchery and making charcuterie, try Savoring the Whole Hog- an Old World view at http://www.goingwholehog.blogspot.com/.

“Two Cooks. Two Teachers. Two Friends. Judy Witts & Kate Hill share their European farmers, butchers, recipes, pigs & passion for authentic food arts from Italy and France.”

Thanks, Judy, for giving me the heads-up on this!

By: rebecca

rebecca — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:27:37 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for the great feedback and comments! You always hope to make a splash with a blog post, but never did I imagine the the hog kill story would be so popular…
@Alexandra…I mulled over the pictures for quite awhile, but then decided that in keeping with the integrity of the story I couldn’t gloss over the visuals. The ones I finally chose were relatively tame, however. And I absolutely agree about supermarket meat. Just one more reason to support your local farmers!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:42:22 +0000

Wonderful post reminding me of a time when our relationship with animals was a lot healthier and so were we.

Stressed animals develop cortisol just as stressed people do and cortisol –>cholesterol. I have a friend whose cattle live happy healthy lives and are the meat of choice for a local cardiologist.

By: Celia

Celia — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:43:01 +0000

An excellent post and a real lesson in respect and open-mindedness.

By: Mosaica

Mosaica — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:19:14 +0000

I grew up in Italy, in Baia (vicino Napoli), and participated as a child in the yearly pig harvest, and this post brought it all back –beautiful post! I know these childhood memories formed the underpinning of my life-long nose-to-tail approach to eating and animal husbandry, and I’m deeply grateful for that.

Thanks for sharing your experience!