I'm Ada Limone and this is The Slowdown.

Recently I was in Buenos Aires teaching for the Low Residency MFA program I work with

in Latin America.

One of the highlights of these trips is getting to work and travel with dear friends, the

other writers and faculty that attend the program.

My husband came with me and each day was full of laughing almost uncontrollably with

some of the smartest people I know.

During our breaks from seminars and student tutorials we wandered the streets of Palermo

in search of a late lunch or a coffee and empanada.

We'd find some cafe with seating that sprawled out into the brick walkways under the

ombud trees or the Palo Baratros.

It was winter in South America but the weather was mild where we were and there you could

still sit outside as long as you were dressed appropriately and preferably found a warm

spot in the afternoon sun.

One restaurant we returned to again and again was called Las Cabras, Acasio, Parísia with

red tables that served grilled meats and vegetables and more classic Portaño fair.

We'd order Un Gran Bifalas Cabras, which is a perfectly grilled cut of famed Argentinian

steak with grilled vegetables, freshly pureed pumpkin, a slab of grilled provoleta cheese

and a fried egg, all served on a giant cutting board made for sharing.

If you ask me, pumpkin is highly underutilized in the United States.

It's not just for autumn lattes, it's for pairing with all sorts of savoury foods.

We'd split our enormous cutting board of provisions and share a bottle of Maulbeck

...