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No I Haven't Become a Vegan
I'm following the ancient Italian custom of Carnevale, the traditional Lenten fast that begins on Ash Wednesday when all feasting is over and fasting begins for 40 days until the celebration of Easter. The word "carne vale" in Latin means "meat farewell" and so abstinence from things of the flesh is de rigeur during this time. But before abandoning meat there is much feasting and merriment with festivals, parties and celebrations with fun, family and food.
The 2011 date for Carnevale is March 8th so I haven't got much time before I say farewell to meat. Here's what I'm planning to do before Martedi Grasso (Fat Tuesday) ends. |
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Party Like a Venetian
Although Carnevale is celebrated all over the world it is at its best when celebrated in Venice. Viareggio,New Orleans and Rio di Janiero may disagree but the Venetian Carnevale has the history, romance and atmospheric feeling that make it an over the top experience. Carnevale in Venice transports you to another time and place where masks and twisted identities blur the lines between fantasy and reality and the excesses of the flesh are excused for the moment.
I of course will be participating in none of the above but will indulge in the exquisite pastries and traditional foods of Carnevale in Venice such as fritelle, tiny doughnut like fritters often made with raisins, pine nuts or grappa and cenci, a bow-tie shaped confection also known as chiacchere, frappe or lattughe (lettuce leaves) because of their ragged appearance.
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A Taste of Carnevale
Experience a Venetian Carnevale in your own kitchen. In the kitchens of Cositutti there will be bigoli in salsa, a traditional Venetian pasta served with a sauce of olive oil with anchovies and fegato alla veneziana, liver with onions. And to drink, a glass of prosecco as an apertivo and a bottle of Valpolicella, a classic red wine from Verona, Venice's not so distant cousin.
You can find Stringozzi, the Umbrian version of biogoli pasta at CosituttiMarketPlace together with other authentic Italian food products for a special Carnevale celebration and if you will be fasting during Lent, pasta makes a great alternate to meat including pizzichi, a rustic pasta from a region of Northern Italy a mere yodel away from Switzerland. Combine it with braised cabbage or cauliflower or use it to make an Italian inspired mac and cheese or tuna casserole. |
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Carnevale Special
Once a year Cositutti extends a special offer to all Miei Amici newsletter readers during the month of Carnevale.
Place an order of $40.00 or more at CosituttiMarketPlace during the month of March and receive a complimentary 4.5 oz jar of La Favorita Black Olive Crema or La Favorita Artichoke and Garlic Crema .If you haven't tried these incredible spreadable creams before now is your chance. The Artichoke and Garlic Crema has been a consistent favorite every year at tasting events and was a 2000 Gold Award Winner at the New York Fancy Food Show. These spreads can be used as a topping for bruschetta or pizza, as a sauce for pasta or as an ingredient in your favorite recipe. 
Offer applies to an individual order. Order amount is not accumulative.
Write selected item as Message at time of checkout.
Offer expires 3-31-2011
*does not contain dairy; in Italy a crema is a vegetable spread |
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Pamela Marasco
Coprorate Office 420 East 86th Avenue
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
219-629-4496
Read our new book Seeing and Savoring Italy - A Taste and Travel Journey through Northern Italy, Tuscany and Umbria
available at Amazon.com |
