Reflecting on a Mediterranean Summer
Credit…Chris Simpson for The New York Times. Food stylist: Maggie Ruggiero. Prop stylist: Sophia Eleni Pappas.
As my summer holiday in the enchanting Mediterranean comes to a close, I find myself immersed in thoughts about how to carry the tranquility that vacation brings into my everyday life. Like many others, I face the temptation to dive headfirst back into the hectic rhythm of work and domestic responsibilities.
To be transparent, penning this column was one of the foremost items on my to-do list upon my return. That list loomed over me like a cloud during my getaway, threatening to eclipse the blissful moments I had experienced. However, as I gaze upon my recipe for smoky shrimp saganaki, I realize that I have discovered a delightful pathway back to reality. While there is a risk of romanticizing my Mediterranean escape, I genuinely believe that I have returned with invaluable life and culinary lessons that can help me unwind as autumn approaches.
Recipe: Smoky Shrimp Saganaki
The first lesson is as ancient as humanity itself: the importance of gathering. Much of my time on the picturesque Spanish island of Ibiza was spent around tables brimming with delicious food, connecting with a diverse array of people—some familiar faces, others delightful strangers. It was a joyful rediscovery of how a meal serves not only as a backdrop for social interaction but also as the very essence of connection itself.
