Exciting News!

I've got some exciting news that I'm finally ready to tell the blogosphere...but first, some random eats.

I bought a plantain a few weeks ago (after my DC trip inspired me) and just didn't know what to do with it. I looked at some recipes online, but then the convection oven in my dorm was out of commission, which subsequently cancelled all of those plans. But when the end of finals week was approaching, I knew I HAD to use it up, so I got myself a bowl from the dining hall and called up a friend in another dorm to see if her convection oven was working.

When I got the all-okay, I sliced up that plantain, greased the bowl with a little coconut oil, and popped it in the convection oven at 400 for about 25 minutes. They smelled fantastic, but I let them cool a little before I ate them. The verdict? I think they were way better than the fried plantains at Whole Foods. If you haven't had plantains before, please try them! Super delicious.

Like bananas, the skin needs to be black or near black for it to be super sweet.

Unfortunately, the naked plantain is not much to look at, haha.

I was surprised at how much yellower they were than bananas...

I have a secret: I flipped all the plantains over so you could see the crispy, caramelized bottoms. The tops? Not so much.

Close up of the deliciousness.

Still with me?

I also used up some random snacks:

I won't bother with the explanations and I'll just get to the exciting news.

This summer I'll be working abroad in Italy in a "luxury" hotel. It's part of a program through my college that you have to apply and be selected for, so I was very happy last April when I found out I made the program. I'll be leaving on Tuesday and I'm not sure when/where I'll get internet access, so my posts will probably be more sporadic during the summer. I'm thinking the tone will change to focus more on my travels, but don't worry, I'll be sure to take copious pictures of my food too! I am very excited and just can't wait to be abroad. I've been to Rome twice, Greece, and Mexico, but never to this particular part of Italy before, so it should be an adventure.

These last couple of days I've been running around buying things for my trip, and I think today I've got to pack everything. Eeek! I'm trying to bring as little as possible so I don't have to lug it all around, haha.

Have a wonderful Sunday! I finally made homemade hummus, so I'll be posting a picture tomorrow?

Questions: Have you ever been abroad? If so, where? Did you like it?