Life is a Culinary Metaphor

In Italy, we often use food-related expressions to describe life and relationships. Two of my favorites are “minestra riscaldata” and “riposo della polpetta.” The first, “minestra riscaldata,” literally means “reheated soup,” and it’s used to describe a stale or repeated situation—like an old relationship or idea that’s been reheated but has lost its original flavor. The second, “riposo della polpetta,” translates to “resting of the meatball,” and it suggests giving emotions or ideas time to settle and mature before making decisions.  

For me, the best approach to life is a mix of both: sometimes it’s good to revisit familiar things with enthusiasm (“minestra riscaldata”), but other times it’s wise to let things rest and develop naturally (“riposo della polpetta”). Because, in the end, what seems old or tired can sometimes come back with a new flavor or perspective.  

So, I try to balance openness to new opportunities with respect for what’s already been tried and tested. I believe that reworking old ideas or relationships can lead to surprising and valuable results—sometimes more than starting from scratch. It’s all about recognizing when to move forward and when to let things rest, trusting that, with patience, everything can be reborn in a new and better way. 

Marco