Cooking with Rita

Cositutti - A Travel and Lifestyle Resource For All Fine Things Italian

continued . . . A Taste of Cosituttti in Italy Fall 2009

The food of Emilia Romagna is legendary. So when I was invited to cook in the kitchens of Castello Gropparello near Piacenza with my friend Rita, the current owner, I jumped at the chance. Castello Gropparello is part of the itinerary of the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori piacentini, wine and flavor routes of Piacenza in Emilia Romagna. These gastronomic itineraries can be found throughout Italy and allow you to get up close and personal with the authentic food and wines of a particular region.

I spent the weekend at Gropparello with Rita and her family immersed in the food and fantasy of a medieval castle that dates back to the time of Charlemagne. At first you are attracted to the rugged beauty of the landscape that surrounds the castle where you can experience history and fables, take part in medieval banquets and perhaps catch sight of fairies, pixies, elfs and druids. But Gropparello Castle is more than a place for those seeking medieval adventures and childhood fantasies. The gastronomic festivals and exceptional regional dishes prepared in the Castle's Medieval Taverna reflect the great heritage of Emilia Romagna cooking at its best.

Cooking with Rita

Rita and I prepared food typical of Piacentini cuisine to be served with wines from the cellars of Castello Gropparello.

il Menu

Baked Stuffed Vegetables

*Maltagliati with Zucchini and Pine Nuts

Faraona (Guinea Fowl) with Olives

Piacenza Tart with Plum Jam

Wine - Colli Piacentina 2005 Mont'Arquato Duca di Ferro (Iron Duke) Gutturnio Riserva DOC

Quite an ambitious menu but I was in good hands. Rita, her daughter Chiara and their staff soon had me feeling like I was back in Nonna's kitchen.The warm and gracious hospitality of Rita and her staff, the totally delicious food, the evocative atmosphere of the Castle and the countryside are what creates the magic of Castello Gropparello. And if by chance you see a pixie, druid, wizard or witch well all the better. I absolutely love this place and want to return to experience more.

*roughly cut ribbons of pasta that go well with both rustic and delicate sauces;

loosely translated "maltagliati" means "badly cut"

Corso di Cucina

Combining a cooking class with a taste and travel trip to Italy is like icing on a torta.

There are many cooking schools in Italy to choose from. A recent Google search resulted in 1,410,000 hits with vivid pictures of mouthwatering pasta paired with ruby red wines and decadent desserts located in villas and Tuscan farmhouses "immersing" you into the d'arte della cucina of Italy. Culinary vacations and gastronomic adventures are becoming the trip d'jour as travelers search for more than a show and tell tour. But hands on can sometimes mean hands off and you may be one of the many, rather than one of few, in a stage-designed kitchen more suitable to the Food Network.

So what do you look for when you want to combine traveling, eating and cooking in Italy.