Archive for 'Slow Food'

A vacation in Tuscany in fall means taking in the famously beautiful landscapes of the region made even more stunning by the autumnal colours that take over, means bargains as off-season prices kick in after the summer, means smaller queues and fewer crowds, and it means less intensely hot weather. However, one of the best things about travelling in the region through fall is that it is harvest season, which means that there are all sorts of hearty regional dishes to try and all sorts of perfectly fresh and delicious foods and produce to sample. While truffles, apples, and other fruits and vegetables are important to the autumnal cuisine of Tuscany, one of the key ingredients that you will find in all sorts of delicious dishes and desserts come fall is the chestnut.

At their best in October, chestnuts are prepared in quite a wide variety of different ways from roasting to boiling to mashing to being used to make a flour and then turned into various kinds of confections. Grown at an elevation, they are found mostly in mountainous regions such as along the Apuan Alps and the Apennines and in areas such as Lunigiana, Garfagnana, Pistoia, the Casentino, around Marradi, and in the Mugello. However, as big cities such as Florence and Siena are nearby, you'll find chestnut-based goods all over Tuscany in the fall. If you are fond of chestnuts, in particular, or if you just happen to be planning on finding a villa in Tuscany and exploring the foodie delights of the region this autumn then here are some of the must-try chestnut-based dishes that you should add to your culinary bucket list...

Serious foodies know that one of the world's must-see holiday destinations for those who like to eat well is Tuscany. Home to a rich food culture that has produced globally-recognised dishes served up in millions of households all over the world every day, hearty favourites inspired by peasant food traditions, superstar ingredients that are acknowledged for their excellence by the European Union, incredible wineries turning out endless delicious wines, ice-cream shops from children's dreams, bakeries stuffed full of traditional treats and cakes, and much more besides, there are lots of impossibly tasty things to eat and drink if you have found a villa in Tuscany and are spending time in the region. However, one particular product that might not immediately come to mind when thinking of the culinary tradition of Tuscany is chocolate. Despite this, Tuscany is home to the, “Chocolate Valley,” where most of the best chocolate in Italy and some of the best chocolate in Europe is produced each year. If you were thinking about a vacation in Tuscany and you're a chocolate-lover, then this is one more reason to bite the bullet and book your villa with pool in Tuscany today!

If you like spaghetti then you'll probably like pici, which are basically super-spaghetti: a thicker, flatter, hand-rolled, handmade spaghetti that comes from an enduring Tuscan country tradition of making your own pasta from scratch at home. As we all have a bit more time on our hands at the moment during this time of social-distancing and may be craving culinary outings and travelling, why not combine it all and travel and experience something new with your tastebuds from the safety of your very own kitchen?

Pici, sometimes referred to as, “pinci”, are a kind of pasta that originated in the Montalcino area of the province of Siena in Tuscany. Made from a simple dough, typically made from only flour and water, though egg is sometimes added, it is one of those Tuscan dishes that is made in an endless variety of methods and has endless variations as each family usually has their own secret and specific recipes that are passed down through the generations. From the ingredients, to the proportions of ingredients used, to the way that the dough is rolled out, there can be all sorts of variations in how Pici are made. For example, to make the distinct thick, tubular shape, the dough must be rolled out in a thick flat sheet and then cut into strips but while some people roll the dough between a palm and the table while the other hand is wrapped with the rest of the strip, others simply roll the strip between the two palms.

Prato province is the smallest of the ten provinces of Tuscany and one of the smallest in all of Italy. Six main communes are situated in Prato province and would make for a few excellent day trips if you’re planning to rent a villa in Prato for some or all of your vacation.

The capital is called Prato and it’s the second largest city in Tuscany after Florence.

The other main towns are called Cantagallo, Poggio a Caiano, Carmignano, Montemurlo, Vernio and Vaiano. Prato city is located at the foot of Monte Retaia and offers a wealth of attractions to keep tourists entertained.

It's home to many stunning buildings, beautiful piazzas and monuments which would be well worth a tour around for a day. Textile production was a large part of Prato’s economy and can be learned about in greater detail at the large textile museum here in the city. It also displays an incredible collection of archived writings by the master Tuscan poet, Dante Alighieri.

Imagine a cosy winter vacation in Tuscany, sitting in front of a crackling fire in a luxury villa here, sipping delicious wine and savouring great local food.

Here in Tuscany, a wonderful collection of wine tasting events are taking place across the region which draws in thousands of locals and tourists alike. Come to toast the New Year in style!

Famous Tuscan wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the districts in which they’re produced become vibrant hives of activity at Christmas.