COSITUTTI
April 2008
Buona Pasqua
Happy Easter
Miei Amici 
 
It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring - Easter! Celebrated throughout
Italy with regional gastronomic delicacies that give new meaning to "la dolce vita".
 
COSITUTTI wishes you a
Happy Easter!
 
 
Pasqua
 
Giotto's ResurrectionEaster, as the oldest Christian holiday, is celebrated in Italy with religious processions
and regional culinary traditions that symbolize rebirth and renewal. After Lenten fasting, everyone is ready to enjoy Easter and celebrate Pasquetta "Little Easter" (Easter Monday). Italians take off for a trip to "la campagna" the countryside for picnics with family and friends and to enjoy an extra day off of work or school. 
 
Giotto's fresco of the Resurrection of Christ, commissioned by the Scrovegni family in Padua . . .  Read more as you "walk into a postcard" 
 
In This Issue
Italian Easter Traditions
The Incredible Italian Egg
Italian Chocolates
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Quick Links
The Incredible Italian Easter Egg
 
From ancient Roman springtime fertility rites to Christian celebrations of resurrection and renewal, the egg has always been a symbol of Easter in Italy. The biggest Easter displays in Italian pastry shops, restaurants, bars and markets center on brightly wrapped, elaborately decorated chocolate Easter eggs, uova di Pasqua.  Many of these eggs are made by artisan chocolate makers like Perugina and Caffarel whose designs are highly sought after.  These hand decorated eggs are often filled with gianduia, a rich chocolate hazelnut filling (think Nutella˛).  When I visited the Perugina Chocolate factory last March I saw a chocolate Easter egg that was 3 feet tall!
 
Read more about my trip to visit the Willie Wonka of Italy . . . where my fellow kid traveler's E  and Issy commented  "that's a lot of chocolate!"
 
 
Italian Chocolates
 
Easter and chocolates go together and Italy has some of the finest chocolates in the world.  The Italian food magazine Gambero Rosso has even outlined a travel itinerary for tasting chocolate on the Via Ciccolato that leads to the Chocolate Valley in Tuscany.  How Willie Wonkonian is this!
 
All regions of Italy have their own particular types of chocolate. Piedmonte, the homeland of chocolate, is known for some of the finest chocolates of Italy made with "gianduia" a sweet chocolate hazelnut filling (think Nutella squared)! After tasting some of Italy's finest chocolate and visiting the chocolate factories of Italy,  I know that COSITUTTI'S continued mission will be to bring the chocolates of Italy to CosituttiMarketPlace
 
 
 
Featured Chocolates
 
BruCo Chocolates from the Marche region of Italy voted Best Artisanal Chocolate in Italy at Eurochoc 2002 Perugia(a town known for discriminating chocolate lovers!)
 
Laboratorio Dolciario Casa Don Puglisi
A decidedly adult flavored chocolate bar made in an artisanal confectionery workshop where the art and science of chocolate are happily married.
 
Chocolates are also included in COSITUTTI EASTER BASKETS at CosituttiMarketPlace
And remember . . .
 
Our Spring Event!  A Taste of Cositutti - Olive Oil.  A tasting of selected Artisan Olive Oils from Italy including the "Super Tuscan" from Tenuta di Capezzano favored by Mario Batali. This event will include a tasting with guided instruction of 5-6 extra virgin olive oils in "laboratorio" meaning a tasting with hands on activity so you can get as up close and personal to these oils as you can possibly get without taking a  trip to Italy! 
 
Due to the nature of this event space is limited and reservations are required.  For more information contact pam@cositutti.com
 
Scheduled for the end of April.
 
 
Pamela Marasco
cositutti