Olives to Oil

So this is what the real stuff looks like! and let me tell you how amazing it tastes! Im so spoiled and I don't think I am ever leaving!

But this is where it starts here in this olive tree grove. We visited it today and were able to see first hand how it is made and even try a bit ourselves with the process of making it.

 This is a modern electric rake that helps get the ripe olives out of the tree and they fall on the netting below. In the past it would take a team of 10 men 4 months to clear the trees by hand, but with this electric rake they have reduced their team to 5 and it takes 20 days.  (they have over 2k trees)This particular farmer does not use the tree shaking machines because he believes the olive tree roots are too shallow and it isn't good for them.

We tried both the electric rake and plucking by hand, it was interesting to learn how gentle you need to be with the tree as you are plucking because while it is the most productive and mature it becomes also its most vulnerable and easily bruised.

We learned that olive trees will not produce until they are about 20 years old. So sometimes they will take branches from old olive trees and graft them on younger trees to trick the trees into producing earlier. 

This farmer is the 7th generation of olive farmers in his family. This is the oldest tree on his farm. It is over 300 years old.

 After picking the olives they are sent to a factory to be made into oil. The factory is also family owned. The olives are sent up a conniver belt to a grinding machine that turns the pits, kind and flesh all into a pulpy mesh.

This was attatched to one of the machines in the old factory. Im not sure how long ago they made toys that smoked, but I bet it was quite a while ago and this toy has been there for a LOOOOOOng time.

The old fashioned way of expressing was to place the olives like this in between discs made of rope and press. The oil was dripping down into the pan.

From this to .....

separating the water from the oil

this in one day! 

This is the left overs of all the olive oil making. This particular farmer uses this left over pulp of pits and skin to fertilize his trees and this helps increase the rich flavors of his olives in years to come. Other farmers sell this to the companies that make "olive oil" from it.

 and then we ate

Grateful for so much

It started with some friends and the family that we have here. Also the two sister missionaries that we call in as Logan and Tori replacements frequently! 

Then the appetizers really got things kicked off! 

Cranberry orange punch, Chilean empanadas, with a spicy sauce, Bruschetta, and Mozzarella Di buffala, and some southwest dips and chips. 

Luana wanted to keep the napkin as a keepsake from her first Thanksgiving. I'm not entirely sure that she didn't actually put one up in her room! (Luana and Lilly Stutzman) 

The real meal was turkey, ham, Stuffing with fresh sage and onions, A mountain of mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, homemade rolls , cranberry sauce and gravy good enough to drink straight. If you don't believe me ask my friend Paz!

A little blurry, but this much food can make you see crossed eyed!

Might be the best turkey I have ever made! 

Yes, thats 8 different desserts for 14 people. a little more than half a pie per person!

Roll me on up the stairs, and let me sleep this off for a week! I got into bed and I bitterly said to Dan " can you feel that" he asked me what it was I was talking about " It's the good life, it feels so good!"
So blessed!

The best part of this Thanksgiving is that it isn't even thanksgiving yet! WE plan on spending our thanksgiving in Switzerland at our assigned temple and showing the Lord our gratitude by serving him. This was just our warm up!

"Can you feel it?"

Montecassino

St. Benedict of Nursia established his first monastery, the source of the Benedictine Order, here around 529. The hilltop sanctuary was the site of the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, where the building was destroyed by Allied bombing and rebuilt after the war.


It was re- built in the same manor it had been before the bombing and it was our weekend wandering, it was only about 40 minutes from home and was a lovely day out to see whats around us!