Cicheti from Venice
A very exciting week in Italian food. My choices for the 10 best recipes this week include many from Sicily. These Sicilian dishes are not as well known but very delicious. (In case you didn't already know, Sicily is very close to my heart as my grandparents were from there.) Cookies or biscotti are starting to pop up as we get ready for Christmas. Speaking of cookies, look for a week of Italian cookies here on Food Lover's Odyssey in December. Eating in Italy has information on foods in Tuscany and where you can find bacon and eggs along with Roman fare for Brunch in Rome. I've added more festivals to the Upcoming Festivals section. Besides four upcoming CHOCOLATE festivals in the next few months, olive oil, wild boar and truffle festivals are also happening. Last week I posted a list of more than 30 Christmas Markets and Events in Italy, so you can find all the information on Christmas events in Italy there. If you're traveling to Italy in Christmas, you should check out one of the markets or events; they look magical. Enjoy this week's round up of Italian food!
My Choices for this week's 10 Best Italian Recipes from Around the Web:
La Divina Cucina, Judy, makes Panelle, the street food from Palermo and gives information about her recent trip to Sicily - Over the Tuscan Stove
Zucca Agrodolce alla Siciliana (Butternut Squash in Sweet and Sour Sauce) - I was so excited to see this as I love agrodolce (the sweet and sour sauce most famously known for being in the Sicilian Caponata). Sicilians actually use this sauce to dress many dishes. - Volevo Fare Lo Chef (there is an English version of the recipe)
A lesson on How to Make Pancetta - Them Apples
In his attempt to eat all 310 different shapes of pasta, Vince has checked tortellini off the list with this Tortellini in Brodo - Scordo
Hot and hearty Tuscan soup - Ribollita - Proud Italian Cook
Artichoke Pasta al Forno - This oven-baked artichoke-stuffed pasta looks sinfully rich - Fabiolous Cooking Day
New to Italy on a Plate, Silvestro's Salento makes a debut with Il Polpettone (Meatloaf) and adds a beautiful story about why making it is important
Pork Sirloin with Milk and White Truffle - Juls Kitchen
Baci di Dama cookies (Lady Kisses) - Madonna del Piatto
Biscotti alle Nocciole (Hazelnut Biscotti) - Dulcis in Furno
Eating Italy:
Experience Tuscany's choice for the Top 10 Foods in Tuscany
Katie, who I think wins the medal for "eater in Rome" shares her Favorite Places to Eat in Rome - Parla Food
If you're having a bacon and eggs craving (or a pancetta one) while in Rome, Sunday Brunch at the Chiostro del Bramante is the place to go - The Travel Belles
Italy's Mediterrenean diet has been given UNESCO Heritage status and is listed as an "intangible treasure." - Ansa.it
What to Eat and When to Eat it in Tuscany - Nile Guide Florence
Sicilian Cannoli
Upcoming Food and Wine Festivals in Italy:
King Truffle Festival - November 28 - Vaiano - Prato celebrates the truffle with dog-hunting demonstrations, food stalls, newly pressed olive oil tastings and dinner with truffle dishes
51st Olive Festival in Brisighella - November 28 - The town in Emilia-Romagna celebrates local olive oil producers
Suvereto Festival - November 28 - December 12 - In the medieval town of Suvereto, near Livorno, there is a two-week food and historic festival of local delicacies including wild boar, wine, olive oil, honey and more
Barga Chocolate Festival - December 4 and 5 - Barga - Lucca - Chocolate tastings and demonstrations begin at 10 am on December 4th
ChocoBarocco in Modica - December 3 - 8 - The Sicilian town famous for its chocolate is throwing a chocolate festival - and you can take a chocolate tour on a Vespa (Some information in English on Sicily Guide)
Pig and Wild Boar Festival (Sagre del Maiale e Chingale) - Deceber 4 and 5 in Antillo, a city near Taormina in Sicily
Eurochocolate Ski - December 16 to 19 - In the Alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo you can eat chocolate and ski - Information in English at Italy Magazine
Sagra della Sfincia - January 6, 2011 - A town outside of Palermo, Montelepre (the town of my grandparents) celebrates the town's sweet fried dough
Cioccolosita (Chocolate Festival in Tuscany) - February 4 - 6, 2011 - The town of Monsummano Terme, near Pistoia, hosts a chocolate festival and brings chocolatiers from all over Italy with samples!
Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore (Almond Blossom Festival) - February 2 - 11, 2011 - The town of Agrigento celebrates spring and almond blossoms with this festival featuring typical Sicilian foods
Carnevale di Venezia - February 26 - March 8, 2011 - A magical event that I would recommend attending at least once in your life, the entire city of Venice becomes a stage
Related Posts:
Christmas Markets and Events in Italy
Gianduja Budino and a Chocolate Pass in Turin
Christmas Baking Memories and Snowball Cookies
Crimini Mushroom Ravioli and a Lemon Cream Sauce
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Sagra della Sfincia - the town's sweet fried dough ... we had a thing called "sfingi" - is that the same?
Posted by: Paula | November 21, 2010 at 05:09 PM
Also love those baci di dama!
Posted by: Paula | November 21, 2010 at 05:10 PM
Another incredible week! Does Italian food just keep getting better & better or is it my imagination? Yum!
I can never just pick one thing on this list, impossible! And this is the first time I've ever heard of an Almond Blossom festival, how great is that - love the sagra, would go every week if I could! Well, can you tell I'm a bit excited? :)
Thanks for sharing another great post (& of course for the brunch mention!) & looking forward to next week's selection :) grazie
Posted by: Tuula M | November 23, 2010 at 06:39 AM
Hi It's Frances from She Who Blogs
What a yummy blog you have :)
Please write me at coffeebarchick(at)yahoo.com
I need the email you would like your gift delivered to.
Happy Holidays
Posted by: Frances | November 23, 2010 at 09:05 AM