Since we're not on vacation, we mostly eat our meals at home. OK, I lie…we go to the bar for cappuccini and cornetti most mornings but we usually go home for lunch when the rest of Soriano closes down around 1-ish. After only 2 1/2 weeks we haven't exactly established a routine yet, but instead of naping after lunch or doing chores we go out and explore. Then at around 6 or 7 we're home preparing dinner, dining at around 8:30 and done with the dishes by 10.
“Doing the dishes” is an expression I haven't used since childhood, before the first dishwasher ever appeared in my mother's kitchen. Well, there is no dishwasher in the kitchen here…only a small single basin stainless steel sink. With very little counter space, I've had to be creative about getting the dishes done. I know this is boring stuff, but I'm getting ready to introduce you to the item in this tiny apartment that rivals “la lavatrice” for my inestimable appreciation. I haven't learned the Italian name for this brilliant invention, but it's one of those “lightbulb” ideas that makes you wonder why every kitchen in the world doesn't have one of these. Ta Daaaaa...the above-sink dish drying rack!
Behind the overhead cabinet doors located above the kitchen sink is an ingenious device. It's composed of a couple of stainless steel racks that hold just-rinsed dishes, allowing them to drip-dry behind closed doors. There is a pull-out plastic tray below the racks to catch the drips. Some older versions of this device don’t have drip trays, so the dishes just drip directly into the sink. As soon as they're washed and rinsed, the dishes/glassware/ silverware/pots/pans...the works...are instantly put away and the dishes are done!
Brilliant aren't they!
ReplyDeleteIn italiano si dice "scolapiatti" for dish drainer o dish rack! O si puo' dire "fare sgocciolare" to let drip" dry. Buon lavoro! Now get back to those dishes!
ReplyDeletep.s. I absolutely love the photo you have as your blog banner. It is wonderful! Is that your apartment by chance?
Billy..Pure Genius is right! Italians have had it since Roman times. Being an Italophile and Architect I'm sure you know of the history of a brillaint Italian invention..Concrete... The Romans invented concrete nearly 2000 years ago. The widespread use of concrete in many Roman structures has ensured that many survive almost intact to the present day. Some examples are: The Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Roman aqueducts, the Pantheon, the interior dome of which is unclad concrete. After the Fall of the Empire, the secret of making concrete was lost for 1300 years until 1756 when an Englishman Re-discovered the technique. Sorry for being long winded, but Italy is a truly fascinating place..ci vediamo.
ReplyDeleteSuch an obvious & simple concept - pure genius. Why isn't this standard in kitchen design? Though the pull out tray should be stainless like a toaster tray. Black/white check table cloth would be cute in there :)
ReplyDelete...mk
LLM - si, totally brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteMelissa - mille grazie. Si fa senso.....da piccola,mi ricordo una parola che diceva mia nonna - scolapasta. Pero' in dialetto, si pronunciava 'schkoolabasta.....adesso capisco.
Roberto - si vede ogni giorno quello che i romani hanno avuto costruire. Come si dice "AWESOME"?
MK ' the pull-out tray is clear plastic and is easy to clean and put back.No need for stainless.....no heat.....no crumbs..
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ReplyDeleteGuglielmo....the closest translation I found for AWESOME is:'Impressionante'
ReplyDeleteBUONA PASQUA
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