Travel « Radicchioblog

Hitting the streets of Ferrara

August 31, 2010

On September 4th I have a blind date, but not with a guy… with a monument!
Yes, you got that right, let me explain. On September 4th, the city of Ferrara is hosting the first ever “Street Dinner”. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy art and food together; an ensemble of adventure, gastronomy, natural scenery, conviviality and mistery.
Chic but informal at the same time, the event welcomes a large number of gourmands who, armed with a table, a chair and a bag filled with delicacies, will only find out at the very last minute by what historical building or monument they are going to sit and enjoy all the provided local specialties.

All is possible thanks to text messaging: indeed all participants will find out their destinations step by step directly on their phones. The first text will provide the location of the “welcoming” aperitivo where people can mingle and get to know each other while sipping spumante. A second text will inform all of the location where to pick up the table, the chair and table settings plus the food bag (there are two different menus available. The actual dishes are a secret but you can choose between a meat-based or a fish-based menu). Thirty minutes later another text will inform each guest of their diner location. Some of these locations are, for example, the court of Castello Estense (a magnificent castle built in the center of the city), on Corso Ercole I d’Este with a view of Palazzo dei Diamanti (the house of the National Art Gallery, is one of the most famous buildings in Italy: the white marble exterior consisting of 8500 blocks are carved in the shape of diamonds), along the Listone of Ferrara (a beautiful square by the Duomo), in Via delle Volte, among the Ancient Walls and many other wonderful corners (such as one of the city’s beaches or bridges).

As I said, the menus, like everything else, are secret, but I hope that they will feature some of these local specialties:Cappellacci di zucca, pumpkin ravioli, are served with ragù or butter and sage sauce; tagliatelle, noodles with ragù or mushroom sauce, the maltagliati, irregularly shaped egg pasta cooked with beans, classic lasagna, green lasagna, pasticcio alla Ferrarese, a pie stuffed with maccheroni, béchamel, cheese and ragù with porcini mushrooms; riso con zucca e salsiccia, rice with pumpkin and sausages, or with fish Brodetto, a seafood broth. Rice is also prepared with eels, with ragù, cheese and porcini mushroom. Polenta is often served in place of pasta. It can be fried in butter or dressed with a sauce, cheese, meat or fish. Anguilla (eel) and polenta, polenta with ragù, polenta and sausages are common fare in the Ferrarese. As far as desserts are concerned: ciambella ferrarese is made with flour, eggs, butter and a little sugar; torta di mele is a sponge cake mixed with fresh apples sliced very thin; panpepato is a super rich chocolate cake with candied fruits and nuts, ginger, pepper and other spices and mandurlin dal pont are delicate and crispy cookies made with eggs, sugar and almonds.
For more information: www.streetdinner.it
- Natasha Lardera

1 Comment | Dining, Emilia Romagna, Events, Fresh Pasta, Travelling | Tagged: Emilia Romagna, Events, Italian cuisine, Italian Regions, Travel | Permalink
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Cooking On A Sailboat, Italian Style

September 3, 2009

Italy is very well known as a nation of food lovers, artists and poets but is also a land of avid navigators and sailors. Surrounded by water, many Italians learn to sail young and continue to do so throughout their lives. Food is important in every aspect of Italian life, including when on a sailboat. A group of sailing enthusiasts put a book out a number of years ago for sailors to show what to bring on a boat without a refrigerator for one week. It is called In Barca Senza Frigo put out by Mursia Editore. The results were astounding. As one might imagine there were a lot of recipes for making pastas, frittatas, bruschettas and even some desserts. When travelling on a sailboat, some of the necessary things to have with you are capers, anchovies, tomatoes, tomato paste, pasta, bread, crackers, chocolate and/or nutella, eggs, parmigiano cheese and herbs. Add to this nuts, chips, wines, beer, water and coca-cola.

When out sailing, sometimes you sleep off shore and therefore can not get more provisions in the marinas. With these ingredients and this handy little book with its easy recipes, you should have no problem eating for a week. Sailing is a very big sport as well as recreational activity in Italy. Some well known sailing schools in Milan include Sailor Company, Mondo Vela, Horca Myseria, and Vela Mare. In Rome, you can go to Fare Mare or La Scuola della Vela. The most famous of all sailing schools in Italy is located on the Island of Capraia in Sardinia. All of these schools offer week long courses, two week adventures in the Mediterranean and many other opportunities to enjoy the beautiful of Italy.