The Signorina has been busy this week.

In addition to preparing for an up coming weekend visit from her in-laws...(ah-hem) and trying to find a pair of shoes to fit the Bambino's unusually wide feet, she has been educating herself about the wonders of SCHMALTZ.

Schmaltz, during one of the Signorina's early German outings, appeared on the table in a most curious tin. It looked like Crisco with pepper. It tasted like Crisco with pepper. Alas, Schmalz is not Crisco...it is lard. At first glance the Signorina mistook it for a funny, German candle.

The Signorina has also seen Schmalz mixed with bacon chunks in decorative marmelade jars, adorned most delicately with a piece of lace or satiny ribbon.

Most recently the Signorina discovered homemade Schmaltz at her butcher, Sonja's.

Sonja claims to produce cholesterin-free Schmaltz flavored with apples and onions. Sonja the butcher sells this along side her Goose-Schmalz. ...or Geese-Schmaltz? One can never be sure as to how many goose-ez or geese-ez it takes to fill a Schmalz tin.

As to the veracity of Sonja the butcher's claim that her apple-onion Schmalz is cholesteral free, the Signorina simply suggests that,

one should never argue with Sonja the butcher.

The Signorina was also informed that Schmalz was originally indicative of lard from poultry...parts, but as you have just witnessed it can appear with a pork part or two in it as well.

Here is some additional information from Wikipidia about Schmalz history. You may find it helpful in enriching your Schmalz experience, should you choose to have one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmaltz

The Signorina wishes you and yours a lovely week.