Whilst on your holidays to Tuscany, you might like to take some time to learn about the fascinating ‘slow food’ movement that is an integral part of Tuscany’s cuisine tradition. This was a courageous stand made by a group of Italians in 1986 to promote the consumption of delicious homemade produce created using only the finest ingredients.
Many were dismayed at the rapidly growing number of ready meals and processed foods in local supermarkets and fast food restaurants in towns all across Italy so below are some of the delicious foods that Tuscany fought hard to, and successfully brought back into regular Italian cooking.
All of the locations mentioned below have a fantastic range of Tuscany villa rentals and much more to offer visitors who wish to explore the culinary history of this region.
Many were dismayed at the rapidly growing number of ready meals and processed foods in local supermarkets and fast food restaurants in towns all across Italy so below are some of the delicious foods that Tuscany fought hard to, and successfully brought back into regular Italian cooking.
All of the locations mentioned below have a fantastic range of Tuscany villa rentals and much more to offer visitors who wish to explore the culinary history of this region.
Learn about the succulent lamb called ‘Agnello di Zeri’ that comes from Zeri sheep that graze on sweet grass all year long in Lungiana. As a result they produce sweet protein rich milk that is used only to feed their lambs as it is this nutritious milk, along with constant grass grazing that gives the lamb meat such a fragrant juicy flavour.
You can buy a leg of this lamb along the border towns between Tuscany and Liguria and enjoy it roasted in the oven seasoned with potatoes and herbs!
If you are staying in the province of Lucca during your Tuscan holiday then you’re sure to find some ‘Biroldo della Garfagnana’, which is a blood sausage that’s native to the area. It’s made from the boiled meat and marrow of a pig’s head that mixed with blood.
It’s seasoned with nutmeg, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, salt and pepper before being cured and boiled for three hours. It’s a soft sausage with strong aromatic flavours that packs a punch! Nearby towns like Barga and Bagni di Lucca have plenty of shops and restaurants that often serve this slow food delicacy.
You can buy a leg of this lamb along the border towns between Tuscany and Liguria and enjoy it roasted in the oven seasoned with potatoes and herbs!
If you are staying in the province of Lucca during your Tuscan holiday then you’re sure to find some ‘Biroldo della Garfagnana’, which is a blood sausage that’s native to the area. It’s made from the boiled meat and marrow of a pig’s head that mixed with blood.
It’s seasoned with nutmeg, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, salt and pepper before being cured and boiled for three hours. It’s a soft sausage with strong aromatic flavours that packs a punch! Nearby towns like Barga and Bagni di Lucca have plenty of shops and restaurants that often serve this slow food delicacy.
Try some Testaroli or Panigacci if you are passing along the border towns of Tuscany and Liguria. These are types of fresh pasta that are made without using eggs.
It’s made using only pasta flour, water and salt and some oil and the paste is poured into a special pan called a testo where its left briefly to set over a fire before being plunged briefly into boiling water for a few seconds and tossed in some olive oil, garlic and seasoning before serving.
These are only a few of the mouth watering slow foods that await your taste buds in Tuscany!
Read through our other Slow Food articles that could perhaps inspire a gastronomic food tasting tour of this superb Italian region!
It’s made using only pasta flour, water and salt and some oil and the paste is poured into a special pan called a testo where its left briefly to set over a fire before being plunged briefly into boiling water for a few seconds and tossed in some olive oil, garlic and seasoning before serving.
These are only a few of the mouth watering slow foods that await your taste buds in Tuscany!
Read through our other Slow Food articles that could perhaps inspire a gastronomic food tasting tour of this superb Italian region!
Photo credits
picture 2: Tim P / CC BY-2.0;
picture 3: JP Lon / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 2: Tim P / CC BY-2.0;
picture 3: JP Lon / CC BY-SA 3.0
