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Ciao amici -
We hope you all are enjoying your summer! We've had a busy spring with several culinary tours that have brought us new friends and more wonderful memories!
June got away, and July almost did - so this newsletter is June and July combined - check out Gina's articles for the whole story, pictures and recipes. If you're Facebook friends of us or Ecco La Cucina - check out what we've been up to this summer.
This summer Gina's contrada - The Selva - are running the Palio twice. They didn't win in July, but are now preparing for the August 16th Palio. Gina will post all the activities and happenings on Facebook - so tune in!
Buon appetito!
Gina and Mary |
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Gurguglione - Ciambotto-Ratatouille
by any other name:
Last month when I was on the island of Elba, one of the Tuscan archipelago of islands, I came across a dish on a menu I'd never seen before: gurguglione. Excited to find a new dish with such an unusual name, I called over
the waiter. It was, he informed me, a typical Tuscan dish of slow cooked vegetables...
My grandmother used to make something similar, a delicious medley of summer vegetables to which she added cooked slices of Italian sausage. She called it "gimbot", and I 've spent years trying to find out the real name. Click here for the recipe and the rest of the story...
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Apricot Redux
I thought I was finished with apricots but the season just won't quit. I didn't even know there was an apricot tree right outside my bedroom window, and I've lived in this house for 10 years. It's never had so much fruit on it before, but this year it beams bright orange from the moment I open my eyes in the morning. It makes me nervous to see so much free fruit I can't reach. So I found a way into the garden.
After two disappointing attempts at apricot jam, which rendered a lovely deep orange apricot sauce, that I'm sure will be lovely on vanilla ice cream, I started talking to the natives and I finally learned the secret to preserving this fruit. Click here for the rest of the story.. |
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Culinary Tours Update
Some spots have opened up for the Sept 29 - Oct 6th culinary week. Air fares are down! If you're a last minute planner and have wanted to join us in Tuscany, call Mary and she'll get all the information to you.
Here are the 2013 dates for the Tuscan week long culinary tours: May 18-25 May 25-June 1 October 5-12 October 12-19 November 2 - 9 We'll also be returning to Napoli (September) and planning a new trip to the Veneto (who loves Amarone?!) and Emilia Romagna (Bologna) regions. Stay tuned. Our 2013 mini tour dates will be announced in our next newsletter in August. |
